[PapaBear]

After about three years, the CHP will be accepting on-line applications during a short period of time in January, 2013. If you are interested, here is the data available:

[quote]Applications will be accepted online only during a three day recruitment effort that begins Thursday, January 3 and continues through Saturday, January 5. Those interested in applying will need to return and visit "Apply Online for Cadet."[/quote]

I have no idea when the first class of 2013 will be held or if there will be an expedited screening. If interested go here: http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/officer.html

Good luck to all who may apply.

 

[PapaBear]

They used to be, however, in 1995 or so, they merged with "state police". They handle incidents occuring on state property, in addition to all the highway stuff. So, if something was happening at say, the DMV (RMV), they respond - be it a licensing matter or a domestic in the parking lot.

Since 1929, the CHP has had Statewide jurisdiction. If there is some doubt, remember the first word in the name of the agency - "CALIFORNIA" The unofficial motto is "All roads, all codes!"

To address take-home vehicle: All motorcycle officers take their bikes home; Captains and above have a take home unit; most investigators have a take home; Some special duty personnel have take homes assigned; some protective service personnel, who are on call, have a take home. The majority of the CHP officers live within a short commute of their assigned office.

The reference of the merger with the state police in the mid 90's was of benefit, mostly, to those State Police officers and personnel who received ample pay and benefits increases. The merger simplified the protective services detail and did away with duplicity of services. It did not change, alter, modify or increase the authority of CHP Officers. The one benefit to CHP officers is the previous name of "Traffic Officer" was changed simply to "Officer". That title was based on the majority of active personnel at the time who voted on whether they wanted the title to be Officer, Trooper, Traffic Officer, Agent, etc. Overwhelmingly, they opted for Officer.

At its creation in 1929, officers were known as State Traffic Officers. That changed to Traffic Officer in the 1970's and is now Officer.

An Officer's initial assignment out of the academy can be anywhere in the state. Most initial assignments are for a period of one year. After that an officer may request assignment to the area of their choice and assignments are based on departmental seniority. Pay grades are scheduled for every year for five years after successfully completing probation. There is a pay schedule on the site I provided which also lists other pay benefits - education, seniority, special assignments or skills (pilots, flight officers, motorcycles, investigators, etc.). Other benefits are nominal and well described..

 

[PapaBear]

LACopper> There are police duties performed by CHP officers in SoCA. For example, in the Angeles National Forest regions there are very few LEO's. When I worked in Pomona I was the single CHP officer assigned to Mount Baldy. I had one USFS Ranger, 1 LASD deputy (on call) and one San Bernardino Co. SD Deputy for all areas between Glendora and what is now Rancho Cucamonga and from the city limits of Glendoa, San Dimas, LaVerne, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga to the top of the mountain range. I handled every call one could imagine. Took all preliminary information for the appropriate agency and forwarded my investigation reports to that agency for followup, if needed. Most were cabin burglaries, malicious mischief, destruction of private property, unlawful use of private residences in a National Forest Reserve. At times I would have to call in a helicopter to reach some of the more remote locations. But, that was in the early 70's. None of the agencies, except the USFS have permanently assigned officers in the mountains of that region.

Many remote areas of the CHP are functioning in a similar manner.

Finally, to answer the question about the newer rank of "Officer" I have no idea why the troops opted for Officer over Trooper. I think tradition had more to do with it than anything else. I don't know if that will change with a few other mergers being researched; we will have to wait and see.

 

[PapaBear]

If your into gambling with your pesnion, give CA a shot...

Not an issue. The pensions for State Employees are handled by the California Public Employees Retirement System - one of the richest, most stable and growing retirement systems in the nation. Actually, in the world. CA PERS is well managed and out of reach of the CA lawmakers. CA PERS has made loans to the state in the past and they have been repaid. I have every confidence in the CA PERS programs and don't think one should worry.

The issues affecting retirements in CA is what the locals contribute and how they are managed within PERS. Municipalities are having difficulty in financing their employee retirements.