CHP Leos? Opinions and experiences please

[demnogis]

Hello there!

I was hoping to get some input from anyone who is/was a CHP officer. I am considering within the next few months applying as a CHP officer.

What can one expect for testing/training? I assume there's the POST but what more?

Are recommendations needed? What is required, besides the application?

And lastly... How long before you can become a motorcycle officer?

I appreciate any input. If you have some experiences or stories you'd like to share, please post, I'd love to read them

[Fire in the Hole]

Hello there!

I was hoping to get some input from anyone who is/was a CHP officer. I am considering within the next few months applying as a CHP officer.

What can one expect for testing/training? I assume there's the POST but what more?

Are recommendations needed? What is required, besides the application?

And lastly... How long before you can become a motorcycle officer?

I appreciate any input. If you have some experiences or stories you'd like to share, please post, I'd love to read them

Testing is pretty much the same as other LE Depts. Written, Physical Agility, Psychological, Oral Borad, Physical Examination, Background Investigation. This whole process takes about one year, usually a little less.

Recommendations or Personal References will be asked for when you fill out the very lengthy application, to get the ball rolling. They will be checked with including all former employers, and you neighbors.

It's a 6 month live-in academy in West Sacramento. It's verfy stressful. Attention to detail in minutia is to be expected. Since you live there, the advantage of built-in study groups is natural. But they also do room inspections everyday to see how you maintain your living quarters. You will have one room mate. The Staff Service Officers ared mostly comprised of men and women who has been drill instructors in the Army or Marines prior to entering the CHP. They will go off on you. Expect lots of drill and ceremony at first.

After appointment to an office from graduation from the academy, you will have to move there. It is not true that it's only in LA. Metropolitian areas are usually the first though. SF, SD, Fresno, Bakersfield, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Indio, and Barstow take lots of cadets. You will have three FTO's for 10 days each, on each of the 3 shifts. That's 30 days of training. If the training Sgt, feels that you need more training, he will extend you for another 10 days with another FTO, to work specifically on you weaknesses. If you don't cut the mustard; Good Bye, Farewell. After your field training you are cut loose on you own, unless you are assigned to graveyard shift, then you will have a partner. After your one year of probabtion, you can submit a memo to attend Motor school. It's 3 weeks, then 1 month with a motor FTO, back at you home area. Motors are used in the metropolitian areas that have freeways.

You should check out the CHP website, read the FAQ's, and watch the videos. There are several good ones on You Tube.

[Escalado]

Testing is pretty much the same as other LE Depts. Written, Physical Agility, Psychological, Oral Borad, Physical Examination, Background Investigation. This whole process takes about one year, usually a little less.

Recommendations or Personal References will be asked for when you fill out the very lengthy application, to get the ball rolling. They will be checked with including all former employers, and you neighbors.

It's a 6 month live-in academy in West Sacramento. It's verfy stressful. Attention to detail in minutia is to be expected. Since you live there, the advantage of built-in study groups is natural. But they also do room inspections everyday to see how you maintain your living quarters. You will have one room mate. The Staff Service Officers ared mostly comprised of men and women who has been drill instructors in the Army or Marines prior to entering the CHP. They will go off on you. Expect lots of drill and ceremony at first.

After appointment to an office from graduation from the academy, you will have to move there. It is not true that it's only in LA. Metropolitian areas are usually the first though. SF, SD, Fresno, Bakersfield, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Indio, and Barstow take lots of cadets. You will have three FTO's for 10 days each, on each of the 3 shifts. That's 30 days of training. If the training Sgt, feels that you need more training, he will extend you for another 10 days with another FTO, to work specifically on you weaknesses. If you don't cut the mustard; Good Bye, Farewell. After your field training you are cut loose on you own, unless you are assigned to graveyard shift, then you will have a partner. After your one year of probabtion, you can submit a memo to attend Motor school. It's 3 weeks, then 1 month with a motor FTO, back at you home area. Motors are used in the metropolitian areas that have freeways.

You should check out the CHP website, read the FAQ's, and watch the videos. There are several good ones on You Tube.

Lots of good info here, some of it incorrect though. Go to chpforums.com and SEARCH the forums before posing any questions. Anything you would want to know is on there. I would answer your questions but chpforums is a wealth of knowledge. Only thing I will tell you is APPLY NOW. Classes are being reduced in size. 240, 200 the next couple of classes will be 150 ppl. Good luck

[SkyStorm82]

...You will have three FTO's for 10 days each, on each of the 3 shifts. That's 30 days of training. If the training Sgt, feels that you need more training, he will extend you for another 10 days with another FTO, to work specifically on you weaknesses....

Holy crap. I didn't know it was only 30 days. Mine was 6 months.

[Fire in the Hole]

Lots of good info here, some of it incorrect though. Go to chpforums.com and SEARCH the forums before posing any questions. Anything you would want to know is on there. I would answer your questions but chpforums is a wealth of knowledge. Only thing I will tell you is APPLY NOW. Classes are being reduced in size. 240, 200 the next couple of classes will be 150 ppl. Good luck

Please enlighten me on this. I need to know what part is incorrrect so that I don't repeat it. I'll admit that I'm capable of making mistakes, but I don't know which ones you state are incorrect. I have referenced my own experience as a retired CHP Motor Officer, FTO, and CHP Academy Instructor.

[Escalado]

Please enlighten me on this. I need to know what part is incorrrect so that I don't repeat it. I have referenced my own experience as a retired CHP Motor Officer, and CHP Academy Instructor.

Please don't take this personally, I just want to make sure he gets correct info..

Well to be short

(4) cadets to a room...3 if your lucky

Room inspections are not every day.

Not ONE of the current

[Fire in the Hole]

Oh I forgot to add, to get accepted into CHP Motor School, you already have to be assigned to an area that has a Motor Detail. If you are in a rural county or a county without freeways, you would have to first transfer to a Motor Area, then submit you memo.

[BigDogatPlay]

Quick interjection from a non CHP LEO.....

Happy Camp Res Post-1
Lakeville Res Post-1
Indian Valley Res. Post-1
Pt. Arena Res Post-1

Cadets out of the academy went to resident posts? Are those crappy posts, or was it just that no one wanted them?

[Fire in the Hole]

They will have to go to the nearest larger area with FTO's for their break in period. Actually there are so many CHP Officers retiring right now, the likes of which I have never been seen before, that places unheard of for cadets are opening up. No they are not crappy areas.

[Fantasma]

Only thing I will tell you is APPLY NOW. Classes are being reduced in size. 240, 200 the next couple of classes will be 150 ppl. Good luck

Does anyone know if there is any fact with what he stated or is it just pure opinion?

[Fire in the Hole]

I don't know the stats involved. But I do know that they are hiring aggressively, to keep up with attrition.

[Fantasma]

I don't know the stats involved. But I do know that they are hiring aggressively, to keep up with attrition.

Great, thanks for the info.

[JonD]

Does anyone know if there is any fact with what he stated or is it just pure opinion?

First post here! Hi. That statement is a FACT. I'm pretty far along in the process and the academy sizes have been shrinking mainly do to the money issues. I agree with the CHP wanting to hire like crazy because many people are retiring but the economics are just not there. Possibility the last academy class for this year will not happen and the following class would then start in January (praying). Anyone interested in applying should definitely get started early because it is a long process, which it should be because they hire the best in my opinion. FYI I began the hiring process in February.

[BigDogatPlay]

They will have to go to the nearest larger area with FTO's for their break in period. Actually there are so many CHP Officers retiring right now, the likes of which I have never been seen before, that places unheard of for cadets are opening up. No they are not crappy areas.

Thanks and that was what I figured. I know a few CHP guys and resident posts (with the handy state owned residence when available) were often coveted by older guys looking for a good ride for the last few years.

Times change... thanks again.

[Edonis13]

give the recruitment department for your division a call. they will be able to answer all of your questions regarding the hiring process. all you need to know about the academy is that it will be the hardest 27 weeks of your life.