The Department of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and its uniformed officers patrol and police around 100,000 miles of the state’s interstate routes, U.S. highways and state roads.  The department is headed by a commissioner who is appointed by the governor and reports directly to the Secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Its stated mission is “the management and regulation of traffic to achieve safe, lawful and efficient use of the highway transportation system.” 

The California Highway Patrol is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States.  It is also where the majority of the state’s 911 calls are channeled and then passed on to local agencies. (All cellular 911 calls are routed through the CHP.) The Highway Patrol uses both marked and unmarked cruisers to catch speeders; responds to vehicle accidents; removes debris from roads; and provides back up to local law enforcement agencies requesting assistance.  The CHP also inspects commercial vehicles operating on state highways, as well as certifies school buses, ambulances and other specialized vehicles. The department is comprised of uniformed (sworn) and nonuniformed (nonsworn) personnel, with uniformed personnel accounting for approximately 70% of total staff.

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Highway Patrol became involved in the state’s anti-terrorism efforts.  Since 1995, when the California State Police was incorporated into the CHP, the department has also provided protection for state employees, including the governor, and state property.

The Highway Patrol uses more than 500 facilities statewide, including 10 field division offices, 102 area commands, 8 air operations offices, 34 resident posts, 31 commercial vehicle inspection/scale facilities, 23 platform scales sites, 25 communications centers, 272 telecommunication sites, a training academy and various administrative facilities. These facilities comprise approximately 1.4 million gross square feet of state-owned properties and 400,000 gross square feet of leased property.

The California Highway Patrol was created by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. C.C. Young on August 14, 1929. During its first 10 years, the CHP grew into a force of 730 uniformed personnel. The legislation which created the CHP also created its academy for training future officers. Cadets attend a 27-week program and receive more than 1,100 hours of training. They receive training in weapons, emergency vehicle operations and emergency medical services.

Homer Garrott became the first black CHP officer in 1942 and remained the only black officer for 13 years. He was assigned to motorcycle duty for most of his 22 years with the department. Garrott attended law school while an officer and later became a Los Angeles Municipal Court commissioner and a Compton Municipal Court judge.

Originally a section of the Division of Motor Vehicles within the Department of Public Works, the Highway Patrol was transformed into a separate entity in October 1947 by  Gov. Earl Warren (later appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court) and the position of commissioner was created to head the newly independent department.

In 1955, the CHP got its first blast of national publicity when “Highway Patrol” starring Academy Award winner Broderick Crawford debuted on television. Although the show was technically about a generic highway patrol that could have been located in any number of states, TV lore has it that the show was first promoted by CHP Commissioner Bernard Caldwell, who had one of his civilian public relations people go to Hollywood and “get us a show like Dragnet.” And for the first three seasons, the actors (except Crawford) wore actual CHP uniforms with slightly altered arm patches and badges. The show ran through 1959.

The Highway Patrol suffered its most tragic loss on April 6, 1970, when four CHP officers were killed during a gunfight in less than five minutes in the Newhall region of Southern California. After a report of someone carrying a weapon, two CHP officers pulled over a vehicle with two men in it and called for backup.  Officers Walt Frago and Roger Gore approached the stopped car when, suddenly, the passenger door opened and a gunman, later identified as Jack Twinning, fired two rounds at Frago, hitting him.  Twinning also fired at Gore, who managed to return fire, but the other suspect, driver Bobby Davis, then shot Gore twice.  Both officers died at the scene.

Two other California Highway Patrol officers responded to the backup call and immediately came under fire from the suspects.  CHP Officers James Pence and George Alleyn were mortally wounded during the gunfire exchange with the suspects.  A civilian, Gary Kness, witnessed the second gunfight and tried to intervene and save the officers’ lives, but to no avail. Twinning and Davis escaped, but Twinning eventually killed himself and Davis was captured.  He was sentenced to death, but in 1972 the California Supreme Court declared the death penalty to be cruel and unusual punishment.  In 1973, Davis’ sentence was modified to life in prison, where he died in August 2009.

Women joined the CHP officer ranks in 1974 after several women challenged  regulations that restricted them to non-officer positions. For the first time, female cadets entered the CHP Academy with their male counterparts. By the end of the 16-week training, female cadet Deborah A. Street had captured the pistol shooting award with a perfect 300 score. Academically, five of the top eight graduates were women.

From 1977-1983, the Highway Patrol received a second extended showering of television adulation from the show CHiPS, starring Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox. A reunion movie was released in 1999. Wilcox left acting to become at TV/movie producer and an entrepreneur. He was charged with securities fraud in 2010 by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In 1991, a CHP husband-and-wife officer team initiated the high-speed pursuit of Rodney King through the streets of Los Angeles before being joined in the chase by the Los Angeles Police Department. The CHP officers were the first to approach King’s car after it stopped as LAPD officers arrived on the scene. The CHP officers had King lay on the ground and as they approached, LAPD officers intervened and began beating King. Subsequently, four LAPD officers were indicted on charges of using excessive force and one of the CHP officers, Melanie Singer, testified at their trial that she thought the LAPD actions were unnecessary. The LAPD officers were acquitted, setting off riots in the city. A later federal trial for civil rights violations ended with two of the officers found guilty and sent to prison and the other two officers acquitted.

Homer Garrott; Judge, 1st Black CHP Officer (Los Angeles Times)

History of the CHP (CHP website)

Formation of the California Highway Patrol (by former CHP Commissioner Spike Helmick)

The California Highway Patrol, besides pulling over speeders and drunk drivers, investigates accidents and enforces various public safety initiatives such as the designated driver program, and use of child safety seats and motorcycle helmets. It has 26 active programs and task forces under its jurisdiction, including Accident Investigation, Motorcycle Safety, Computer Crimes Investigation, Mexico Liaison, Farm Labor Vehicles and Crime Prevention. These are in addition to an extensive public affairs outreach effort. It operates across eight geographic divisions. The CHP also publishes data on traffic accidents from a database called the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).

In 1995, the CHP absorbed the California State Police, adding protection of state public officials and California buildings to its chief task of patrolling the state’s roadways. After the 2001 terrorist attacks, the CHP was directed to maintain a SWAT team and secure a number of potential California targets, including nuclear power plants and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Among the duties it inherited from the merger with the State Police was enforcement of the Tax Seizure Program. The CHP provides tax seizure warrant service for three California state agencies: the Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board and the Employment Development Department. The most common items seized by the CHP are: vehicles, vessels, stocks, safe deposit box contents, aircraft and jewelry. If the owner pays the taxes due the taxing agency, the property is released to the owner. If no payment is made, the property is sold at an auction by the taxing agency.

In September 2005, the Highway Patrol’s Mobile Field Forces, which are quick reaction and deployment teams for civil disturbances and disasters, were sent to assist people in the Gulf Coast after the devastating Hurricane Katrina assault in the area. The CHP also maintains a Mexico Liaison Unit at its San Diego border division.  This unit coordinates with Mexican law enforcement authorities to help identify stolen U.S. vehicles taken to Mexico and assist in prosecuting thieves.

The Highway Patrol helps coordinate Amber Alerts along the state’s highways. Using the state’s freeway illuminated signs, Amber Alerts inform motorists that there has been a possible child abduction and gives license plate numbers of the suspected abductor’s vehicle.  Motorists can then call the CHP if they spot the auto.

Organizational Chart (pdf)

Programs and Task Forces (Official CHP website)

Division and Offices (Official CHP website)

Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)

Most of the California Highway Patrol’s operations are funded through the state’s Motor Vehicle Account, which receives its money primarily from vehicle registration fees. In 2010-11, 91% of the account’s $2.2 billion came from those fees, with the rest coming from driver’s license and identification card fees for special permits and certificates. The account also supports the activities of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Air Resources Board, but 71% of its funds support the CHP.

Since 2009-10, approximately $70 million of account funds have been transferred to the General Fund annually to provide budgetary relief. An additional transfer of $180 million was made in 2010-11, which by law must be repaid within three years.

The expenditures by the agency go to payroll, equipment, commercial vehicle inspections, funding drug task forces and the CHP’s Warrant Service Teams that serve high-risk felony arrest and search warrants.

California Highway Patrol budget (Ebudget)

Motor Vehicle Account Overview (Office of the Legislative Analyst) (pdf)

Chief’s Disease

In September 2004, the Sacramento Bee reported that high-ranking CHP officers, nearing the end of their careers, routinely pursued disability claims that resulted in workers’ compensation settlements. The settlements then led in many cases to disability retirements. The practice was called “Chief’s Disease.” As they collected their disability pensions, some of these former CHP chiefs embarked on rigorous second careers – one as assistant  sheriff of Yolo County.

The Bee's investigation found that about 80 percent of CHP chiefs file workers' comp claims within two years of retiring. The story broke one week before Michael Brown was named CHP commissioner, replacing Dwight “Spike” Helmick. Brown immediately ordered an in-house investigation but ended up referring some of the cases to the Sacramento district attorney in May 2005 to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

A year-and-a-half later the district attorney’s office announced its findings. “The workers' compensation system, as it was administered by the California Highway Patrol in these cases involving its top management, was riddled with opportunities for abuse and misuse." But it declined to file any criminal charges. “In the final analysis, while the evidence demonstrates significant institutional failings, it does not support the criminal prosecution of any individuals."  The district attorney’s probe was impacted by several unnamed CHP witnesses who were "unable or unwilling" to recall who had made certain decisions about workplace injury claims.

Harassing Their Own

Four years after Michael Brown became commissioner, and just before his own departure, the department was rocked when the California State Personnel Board in January 2008 found that his predecessor, Dwight Helmick, “orchestrated” retaliation against Highway Patrol Chief Hubert Acevedo after he applied to succeed Helmick as the next commissioner.  The case began when Acevedo bucked the CHP establishment in 2004 by applying for the top job when Helmick was considered vulnerable. Acevedo was also involved in attempts to expose the pension-spiking plan known as “Chief’s Disease” that would allow officers past the mandatory retirement age of 60 to benefit from a pay hike.

The personnel board found that Helmick and other command officers acted “to cause maximum stress, embarrassment and damage to complainant's reputation.” The board’s report noted as “particularly egregious: disturbing profane threats to 'remove' him, smearing his reputation ..., placing dubious corrective memoranda in his official personnel file and interfering with his chances to promote.” Helmick, four other officers and the agency were ordered to pay Acevedo, who left the CHP in July 2007 after 22 years to become chief of police in Austin, Texas, $40,000 for emotional distress. Months later the state paid Acevedo $955,000 to settle a lawsuit against the CHP.

Audits Find Irregularities

The current commissioner, Joseph A. Farrow, was appointed in 2008 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace Commissioner Michael Brown, appointed in 2004, who resigned citing family considerations. While “family” issues might have been a factor, state legislators had been demanding Brown’s removal following the State Auditor’s findings that under Brown’s leadership the Highway Patrol wasted money buying new guns, motorcycles and patrol car equipment. It also said the department’s eight-passenger executive airplane had been improperly used.

Other concerns raised by the state legislature and auditor’s office included an increasingly high suicide rate among patrol officers, complaints of sexual harassment and a no-bid contract for about 10,000 new handguns that failed to operate properly.  A previous audit that followed up on a whistleblower’s tip found the agency had wasted almost $1 million by failing to use 51 of its vans for their intended purposes.

Farrow, who had been a chief deputy under both Brown and his predecessor Helmick, was viewed warily by some critics. But William Leist, former head of CHP Internal Affairs and critic of both Brown and Helmick, defended Farrow. “I also believe that while there are many traits and abilities necessary for executive leadership, a true and honest heart is by far the most critical. With that said, I sincerely believe there is nobody more suited for this responsibility and calling than Commissioner Farrow. Take it from a guy who cares.”

2007 State Auditor’s Report (Official document) (pdf)

2008 State Auditor’s Report (Official document) (pdf)

Audit Questions CHP's Use of Plane (by Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times)

Top-Level Abuse Found (by John Hill, Sacramento Bee reprint in CHP Forums)

CHP Settles Acevedo Lawsuit (by John Hill, Sacramento Bee reprint in CHP Forums)

Chief’s Disease (by Amy Brown, Sacramento Bee)

Chief’s Disease: Anatomy of an Investigation  (Poynter Institute)

Abolish the CHP (Facebook)

Limit Reports

While the California Highway Patrol’s uniformed staff has increased over time, so have the number of accidents on the state’s highways and roads.  The CHP has investigated more than 200,000 traffic accidents each year since 2002.  This places an increasing time-burden on CHP officers. In the past, the Legislative Analyst’s Office has recommended the CHP only take reports when collisions or accidents involve unlicensed, uninsured or intoxicated drivers instead of having its patrol officers investigate and complete a written report on every traffic accident they respond to.

Non-Uniformed Staff

The Legislative Analyst also recommended that the CHP utilize more of its civilian staff for testing a pilot program combining both uniformed and civilians in road patrol duties.  Also, the non-uniformed staff could check the records of motorists operating with out-of-state license plates to see if they should be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles and certifying school bus drivers among other duties.

Enhancing Road Patrol  Service Through Efficiencies (Office of the Legislative Analyst)

Racial Profiling

The CHP operates five major drug enforcement programs revolving around asset forfeiture, use of canines, marijuana planting, task force participation and on-highway interdiction. In 1999, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the department and the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement on behalf of the NAACP, the California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and three motorists of color in U.S. District Court (San Jose). The suit alleged the two law enforcement agencies used racial profiling in their drug interdiction efforts as part of Operation Pipeline. The ACLU alleged that “people of color are routinely stopped, searched and treated like criminals by law enforcement officers when they have done nothing more than commit a minor traffic violation or no violation at all."   

In February 2003, the CHP agreed to adopt sweeping reforms intended to halt the practice of racial profiling. The settlement put an end to the CHP practice of asking for consent to search a driver’s car although no probably cause for a search existed, which resulted in a disproportionate number of motorists of color being subjected to extensive searches, and was a critical component of racial profiling. According to studies, Latinos were approximately three times as likely to be searched by CHP officers than whites in the Central and Coastal Divisions, and African-Americans were approximately twice as likely to be searched in those divisions.

Ron Rice, a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department, took exception to the charge of racial profiling and decried the CHP settlement in an editorial written for American Police Beat, a periodical aimed at the law enforcement profession. “Racial profiling does not exist and there are reports to prove it, but the bombardment on law enforcement continues,” Rice wrote. “It appears that the CHP hierarchy was more concerned with the ACLU's perception of the California Highway Patrol, rather than the hundreds of innocent citizens whose lives have been improved by the successful removal of drug dealers and drug couriers from their neighborhoods.”

Rice argued that racial profiling training was already in place and all officers care about is catching criminals.

Major Drug Enforcement Programs (pdf)

Racial Profiling Lawsuit (ACLU)

Racial Profiling Settlement (ACLU)

ACLU & CHP Settle Three-Year Racial Profiling Disputet (CHP) (pdf)

Racial Profiling Does Not Exist (American Police Beat)

Michael Brown, 2004 – 2008

Dwight "Spike" Helmick, 1995 – 2004

Maurice Hannigan, 1989 – 1995

James Smith, 1983 – 1985

Glendon B. Craig, 1975 – 1983

Dante Lanza, 1974. Appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan just as Governor  Jerry Brown took office.

Walter Pudinski, 1972 – 1974. Was the first commissioner to rise through CHP ranks to take over the top post.

Harold W. Sullivan, 1967 – 1972

Bradford M. Crittenden, 1959 – 1967

Bernard R. Caldwell, 1953 – 1959

Clifford E. Peterson, 1947 – 1953. Was the first to hold the title of commissioner.

E. Raymond Cato, 1931 – 1947. Appointed chief (as it was then called) in 1931. He came from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Eugene W. Biscailuz, 1929 – 1931. Was an under-sheriff for Los Angeles County when named the first superintendent (as the position was then called), receiving a salary of $7,200/year.