Favorite Beats

[Your Mentor]

We all have worked a diverse spectrum of beats; rural, urban, and a combination of both. Some were close to friends and family and some were a complete departure from where you may have grown up. What was your all time favorite and specifically why? Maybe the people you worked with, the scenery, the kinds of violations, the community, the command, or just because it had your favorite coffee shop smack dab in the middle of it, influenced your opinion. Maybe the beat wasn't as important as the area you were able to live in by working there. Maybe it was great for raising a family even though the activity was low. Maybe it was so busy your shift just flew by every day. Maybe it was because you had a great graveyard partner and every shift was non-stop fun. Whatever the reason, share it with us.

I was going to post this in the Chippy only forum but figured candidates would like some insight into specific areas. Or other officers interested in transfering would like to hear about places they're interested in. Keep in mind that we're interested in the positive aspects of areas you enjoyed or currently enjoy. Anything negative should be aired in a non-public manner (ie, warnings about commands or areas); probably via email or Chippies Only.

[retchp]

1. Anyplace in the desert because CHP is "The Law West of the Pecos" out in the outback of California.

2. Graveyards in either Sacto office because you can't avoid making arrests since almost everyone you stop is dui or suspended or has drugs in the vehicle.

3. US 395...see #1 above.

[Your Mentor]

I worked US-395 in Inyo County. Driving along the eastern escarpment of the Sierras was incredible. I appreciated that view daily; never took it for granted. And you generally dealt with LA skiers instead of the locals. Very fun. Mostly, though, it was the desert. Stark beauty, clean air, and an uninhibited view of the horizon.

And, . . . I worked the DRE certification site at South Sac. along with a few drug task force nights while assigned to the Academy. You're not kidding. I couldn't believe how fast they brought in subjects for the DRE students to evaluate. We'd have em' all lined up. Very fascinating though most were street people; the same ones every certification. I worked on in Citrus Heights and it wasn't nearly that busy. I prefer the busy one in South Sac. because you saw so many different drug catagories of influence. How many deuces a night are possible, say, on a Friday or Saturday night? What's the record there?

[dw]

Outstanding topic, Mentor. I don't have enough experience to comment, but I look forward to the replies.

For what it's worth, I've always wanted to work on 395. I've always enjoyed the Eastern Sierras, and Mentor's stories in the Academy only reinforced my desire to work there. I don't know if I'd want to make a career out of it, but to see that eclectic desert climate throughout the seasons would be great. It's such a pain to get over there in the winter, I haven't gone for a few years (I don't ski), but it has always been amazing to look up to the peaks thousands of feet above the valley. The geology of the basin & range is incredible. (Historically, Utah was next door to Reno. Almost all of Nevada is a result of expansion.)

[Your Mentor]

You know you always think the grass is always greener. I'd go back to Bishop in a heartbeat but it's too expensive to relocate there now. I'd take the DV RP in heartbeat as well as long as it was in DV proper and not the Pahrump, NV, post.

I think it's probably better to go to the East Side later in a career and settle. Many of the guys there worked the city and have settled for the remainder of their careers. Very cool beat, lifestyle, and scenery. There's nothing like it in the state.

Hey dw, if you've worked somewhere you have enough experience. 'Nough respect.

[retchp]

Your Mentor wrote: I worked the DRE certification site at South Sac. along with a few drug task force nights while assigned to the Academy. You're not kidding. I couldn't believe how fast they brought in subjects for the DRE students to evaluate. We'd have em' all lined up. Very fascinating though most were street people; the same ones every certification. I worked on in Citrus Heights and it wasn't nearly that busy. I prefer the busy one in South Sac. because you saw so many different drug catagories of influence. How many deuces a night are possible, say, on a Friday or Saturday night? What's the record there?

When I worked there the record for a 1900 car was over 60 DUI in custodies for the month. Every car was in double figures and the average was probably around 25 DUI per car. Less than double figures and you would hear from the SGT. Don't know about current stuff though.

[Your Mentor]

I can only dream of those stats. Wow. That would be none-stop fun.

Hey Bob, when are we going to do coffee in Malin again?

[retchp]

Soon, I have to go get wood pellets next week sometime I'll let you know when and hope you can make it.

[Your Mentor]

I look forward to it.

[Tom]

When I got out of the Academy I worked with a great graveyard partner for a couple of years. We were originally from neighboring cities (Pleasanton and Fremont) and that's where we ended up working. The area we worked was like our own backyards, it was sweet. We knew the hang-outs, hiding places, etc.

As far as now goes every day is good. I still look forward, everyday, to going out to my area. (West CoCo) I never have been a go-home during shift guy
so I choose not to work near my home. We are opening a sub-station at the nearby PD and although it's one mile from my house, I passed. I guess you just get used to one thing and I'm content. I always liked the "you-can-be-busy-as-you-want-to-be" thing and that's what keeps me away from the rural areas. (and my wife is a copper in a nearby city:confused: )

Some great scenery and roads here if you know where to go...not as good as 395 but better than Sac. (as far as scenery) I play the grass is always greener routine almost every transfer cycle and every transfer cycle I fail to put in my 220. C'est la vie!

[x MAIT]

Well, I can't talk about the view after spending 16 years in East LA before moving on. The only mountains were the hills in beat 1 that we called the Alps. I did love the action though. My classmate and I went to graves together after break-in. Before we were even off probation we witnessed an officer shot by a sniper in our parking lot, had been involved in some incredible pursuits, and a combat shooting during what we thought was a duece stop but was actually armed robbery suspects driving a stolen car. An amazing first year. After that all I wanted to do was work the surface beats in East and see how many stolen cars I could find. That's probably why I stayed so long. My favorite beat was 82-14.

[propeller26]

My favorite beat would have to be 96-8 in Oakland. While working there, I was living in Vacaville and was riding my motor to and fro. Nothing like working I-80 right along the bay and looking across and seeing alcatraz and the Golden Gate. It was a fun area to work and the afternoon crew was a good group to work with.

However, my current beat is probably a little better, as that it ranges from just south of Stockton to just north of Magic Mountain with everything in the middle. When the valley fogs in I work speed up in the mountains and enjoy the views everyday. Like I said before, I love my job.