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[FUBAR]

It's ok that you have an antiquated, preconceived interpretation of what the CHP does that was most likely passed to you by a salty FTO that didn't like us. Yes we write tickets, arrest DUIs, keep the roads, highways and freeways safe and moving, and of course the "scary" collisions, but we do a lot more. By that I mean, auto theft, drugs (trafficking and manufacturing/growing), human trafficking, guns, gangs, you name it. We don't just have to stick to the highway, although we are responsible for it. We can go anywhere. I mean look think of how many of us are out there daily and the amount of people we contact daily, we find all kinds of stuff. I've served search warrants, taken down marijuana grow operations, chased armed parolees in 10851's, physically fought people on the side of the road, same stuff you do. We have an excellent association that fights for us everyday, every year so we don't have to suffer job loss or furlough days.

Many don't realize that the CHP in any other state, are known as state troopers. There are many specialized jobs within the CHP like details with the Governor and state legislatures. And about furloughs, they were pretty much immune unlike other state agencies. I know because my agency was hit hard with the furloughs but CHP was not. The pay and benefits is one of the best I have seen. If I could do it all over again, I would apply with the CHP.

[BEARCOAT]

Consider what you want to spend the bulk of your time doing when selecting an agency. Busy is good...the hours fly by.
What kind of shifts do they run ? Many 5-8's have been replaced by 4-10's and 3-12's . Time off becomes precious.....+ OT opportunities.
Consider the pay and benefits. Consider the retirement system by age and % of pay in retirement and at what age.
If you are going to make a career out of it, a larger agency will provide more opportunity for specialized assignments...and bonus pay.
Last one and very hard to find....an agency that PAYS medical when you retire ?
When I retired medical ins for the family was $ 250/mo...now $ 1200+/mo.
What a difference that makes !
Choose wisely....lateral to another Dept. is always an option once you have your P.O.S.T. cert & some experience.
Podunk will always be podunk. Counties are larger than cities and the State agencies give you the run of the State.

[1CavScout]

Bigger departments offer escape routes from supervisors that you can't stand. On a smaller department, you may be stuck with that person. Also, if you "step on it", a bigger department allows the opportunity to transfer to a place where you can get a fresh start.

They also tend to move on faster if they are not liked. They will go to another substation or assignment.

[WyattandDoc]

Bigger departments offer escape routes from supervisors that you can't stand. On a smaller department, you may be stuck with that person. Also, if you "step on it", a bigger department allows the opportunity to transfer to a place where you can get a fresh start.

[Garrett128]

34marine......very well put. Most the time, the job is what you make it. The officers that are "sh_t magnets" are that for a reason. They investigate and don't just document. They don't just do the mininum to get by......they dig and dig. A CHP officer or a city police officer assigned to traffic can turn many felonies if they want to.

BTW, I have many friends with municipal and county law enforcement agencies as well as with CHP. I have seen more burned out policemen than highway patrolmen.

[Che762x39]

Whichever one hires you first; after probation you can move around and pick the agency that fits you best.

I know a couple guys working construction who had that plan too.

[Che762x39]

It depends on who your police persona is. I am into the "sheepdog" way of thinking. I like catching bad guys.

The department you pick is like picking a spouse. We had officers who left us to go to other departments and some did well and others come back to us. Of course we all have seen 'hot shots' who got fired for being dumb and they would have been fired anywhere.

The down side to a state agency or a large county, is being posted on the other side of the state or county. The downside to a small city is everyone will know you and your personal business quickly.

[34marine]

Yeah, what wide variety of jobs within the department are there with CHP, when compared to large police and sheriff departments? Everything is related strictly to traffic and motor vehicle stuff with CHP. Hey, if that's one's forte, than go for it. Otherwise, it could be pretty boring.

Always looking for DUI's, speeders, over weight semi-trucks and freeway graffiti vandals would get old for the next 30 years. Then there's the TRAFFIC COLLISIONS on a daily basis for those guys!!! Oh good Lord how I personally can't stand handling one of those. I'm just glad that my department doesn't force all sworn to handle those while on duty. We at least have the easy option of never getting permanently "stuck" in a "traffic car," writing long and short forms! Im guessing that the CHP officer's number one role is traffic enforcement and t/c reports that go with it. I can't even remember when the last time was that I had to fill out a form-555.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't every uniformed on duty CHP officer expected to handle traffic collisions??? The occasional stumbling across a gun, baggie of dope or anything else on a freeway traffic stop is NOT the norm for the CHP. Just my opinion and I realize there are good people that do enjoy that career path. Somebody's got to do it and I'm glad it's not me. On the flip side, there's plenty of CHP officers that more than likely couldn't dream of being a city police officer nor a county deputy sheriff either. It's also a matter of what one wants to do for the next 30-35 years.

Didn't the CHP a while back all get warned that they "might" experience furlough days like the rest of the state LE folks did? Ultimately, the CHP was spared from that IIRC, but what about the next time? Seems like the state goes through that financial gloom and doom crap every year.

It's ok that you have an antiquated, preconceived interpretation of what the CHP does that was most likely passed to you by a salty FTO that didn't like us. Yes we write tickets, arrest DUIs, keep the roads, highways and freeways safe and moving, and of course the "scary" collisions, but we do a lot more. By that I mean, auto theft, drugs (trafficking and manufacturing/growing), human trafficking, guns, gangs, you name it. We don't just have to stick to the highway, although we are responsible for it. We can go anywhere. I mean look think of how many of us are out there daily and the amount of people we contact daily, we find all kinds of stuff. I've served search warrants, taken down marijuana grow operations, chased armed parolees in 10851's, physically fought people on the side of the road, same stuff you do. We have an excellent association that fights for us everyday, every year so we don't have to suffer job loss or furlough days.

[34marine]

Ya. And deal with the BS politics? Believe me I guarantee its a lot worse in the highway patrol

Worse how? That's my vote, title was best departments to work for, was it not. BS politics are in every agency, big and small. I like that I can move anywhere in the state to another office, not take a pay cut or have to go through FTO like a lateral would have to.

[John M]

There is no best, its what you make of it. Every Dept has its politics and BS. I would recommend going to a large Dept,, more prestiege and oppurtunities.

[AR15Man]

Hey ladies and gents,

If the question has been asked and answered, I apologize ahead of time, I did my searching...

I'm hoping on collecting some opinions on the favored departments to work for in Southern California, maybe departments you work/worked for. Not entirely concerned with pay, if I can work my OT. I'm looking more along the lines for for best experience, best training, best management, where to learn the job well. Busy departments, high crime. I come from military, so I'm no stranger to the politics/brass...I'm sure that's just about everywhere.

I've tried out Inglewood and Baldwin Park, no cigar yet. I know beggars can't be choosers, I'm just trying to narrow my search down.

Thanks for your time, thanks for your service. All opinions/honesty/criticism welcome.

Being as CalPERS is almost in the Red Zone I'd recommend this career path;

If you're under 37 I'd go to the Fed side as an 1811 Special Agent.

I've been operational in over 20+ different States and U.S Territories and two foreign countries.

Then retire @ 50 yoa retired with the Feds and get hired with a CA. Agency, (i.e. District Attorney, DMV, CALDOJ Investigator etc).

I've also worked with San Diego SO and recommend them as they're a great Agency, (large AOR and multi-faceted enforcement units/assignments).

Good Luck

[Virus55]

I joined a very very large dept. Alot of politics. But huge opportunities and you can be anywhere in the state.

[TrailerparkTrash]

No offense to the boys in the blue bowties, but I would recommend avoiding CHP. State agency = subject to state budget problems more so than local agencies. Two-tiered retirement. Lots of remote assignments all over the state. Not nearly as much exposure to criminal investigations a city police officer will see. You better really enjoy cites, DUI's, and T/C's too.

Yeah, what wide variety of jobs within the department are there with CHP, when compared to large police and sheriff departments? Everything is related strictly to traffic and motor vehicle stuff with CHP. Hey, if that's one's forte, than go for it. Otherwise, it could be pretty boring.

Always looking for DUI's, speeders, over weight semi-trucks and freeway graffiti vandals would get old for the next 30 years. Then there's the TRAFFIC COLLISIONS on a daily basis for those guys!!! Oh good Lord how I personally can't stand handling one of those. I'm just glad that my department doesn't force all sworn to handle those while on duty. We at least have the easy option of never getting permanently "stuck" in a "traffic car," writing long and short forms! Im guessing that the CHP officer's number one role is traffic enforcement and t/c reports that go with it. I can't even remember when the last time was that I had to fill out a form-555.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't every uniformed on duty CHP officer expected to handle traffic collisions??? The occasional stumbling across a gun, baggie of dope or anything else on a freeway traffic stop is NOT the norm for the CHP. Just my opinion and I realize there are good people that do enjoy that career path. Somebody's got to do it and I'm glad it's not me. On the flip side, there's plenty of CHP officers that more than likely couldn't dream of being a city police officer nor a county deputy sheriff either. It's also a matter of what one wants to do for the next 30-35 years.

Didn't the CHP a while back all get warned that they "might" experience furlough days like the rest of the state LE folks did? Ultimately, the CHP was spared from that IIRC, but what about the next time? Seems like the state goes through that financial gloom and doom crap every year.

[russelltactical]

Every city has their own problems and politics. Go somewhere that has good pay, benefits, and will not lay people off. Not sure of your location but check out Irvine PD. Irvine is financially well off, the PD has good equipment, and the city is growing at a steady rate. It is the biggest city in OC as far as land goes and will eventually be the biggest in population as well once everything is built out. They are continuously hiring laterals and they open for recruits throughout the year. www.irvinepd.org. Top step pay: $91,936.00 Annually.

[veeklog]

Whichever one hires you first; after probation you can move around and pick the agency that fits you best.