Vehicle Assignments

[Observer]

Are those camaros I am seeing on the road given to tenured officers? or is it luck of the draw?

[Mac]

They're used by special duty people (i.e. Public Affairs Officers, Recruiters, etc.) for PR stuff. I don't know of any that are actually deployed to the field for patrol.

[Badkharma]

RCMP up in Vancouver area use their Camaros all the time. Set up a radar trap on an overpass and radio speeders/violators to the fleet of Camaros waiting on the onramp. :badgrin:

[Observer]

They're used by special duty people (i.e. Public Affairs Officers, Recruiters, etc.) for PR stuff. I don't know of any that are actually deployed to the field for patrol.

I've seen several white CHP camaros on 99 and 80 thruout sacramento with cars and semi's pulled over.

[wannabedispatcher]

The white camaros are called 'polar bears' and they are strictly commercial enforcement vehicles. Very cool looking though.

[dw]

I've seen several white CHP camaros on 99 and 80 thruout sacramento with cars and semi's pulled over.
Many offices have Camaro's (the white ones) assigned. Vehicle assignment is usually seniority based, but Camaro's are often assigned to someone who is agressive in enforcement or has an interest in commercial vehicle enforcement. Remember also that not everyone wants to drive the Camaro -- I wouldn't want to. They can be quite impractical and uncomfortable.

The white camaros are called 'polar bears' and they are strictly commercial enforcement vehicles.
Not the case anymore. The original white CVPI's were purchased under a grant that specified commercial-related deployment. The new vehicles were not grant-funded and are not subject to the same provisions. While the emphasis remains on heavy trucks, the vehicles may also be deployed for more general enforcement.

[E433035]

The white camaros are called 'polar bears' and they are strictly commercial enforcement vehicles. Very cool looking though.

Not so strictly commerical enforcers, they can and do pull over plenty of non-commerical traffic too. They are/were also known as SMPVs (Specially Marked Patrol Vehicle)s. The early SMPV Vics and Mustangs also were painted in a variety of colors with white doors and employed many "low profile" appearance modifications and make them less visible to the truckers.

[MicahJames]

Not sure if there are any South Bay natives on here, but if you ever take the fun 30 min drive over Highway 17 (The mountain) They (camaro) have a very consistent presence. Highway 17 is probably the most unsafe highway in Cali and you would flip your lid if you could see how people drive on that thing.

Born and raised San Jose, I have gone over 17 at least a hundred times going to the beach. In that time, I have seen everything from decapitated Miata's, Deers completely ripped apart, multi multi car pile ups, overturned trucks, and countless other accidents that make you sink in your seat as you try and slow down and act more aware.

I digress... The camaro's look great but as DW said, surely can't be too comfy for 9 hours.

[Badkharma]

Not sure if there are any South Bay natives on here, but if you ever take the fun 30 min drive over Highway 17 (The mountain) They (camaro) have a very consistent presence. Highway 17 is probably the most unsafe highway in Cali and you would flip your lid if you could see how people drive on that thing.

Born and raised San Jose, I have gone over 17 at least a hundred times going to the beach. In that time, I have seen everything from decapitated Miata's, Deers completely ripped apart, multi multi car pile ups, overturned trucks, and countless other accidents that make you sink in your seat as you try and slow down and act more aware.

I digress... The camaro's look great but as DW said, surely can't be too comfy for 9 hours.

Sounds like the Ortega (hwy 74 - from Lake Elsinore to San Juan Cap). I've seen bikers go down, a car fly off the side of the cliff, etc. I drive it about 35-40 times per month. :shock:

[wannabedispatcher]

Not the case anymore. The original white CVPI's were purchased under a grant that specified commercial-related deployment. The new vehicles were not grant-funded and are not subject to the same provisions. While the emphasis remains on heavy trucks, the vehicles may also be deployed for more general enforcement.


Oh my bad, sorry, that is what I remember being told about the 'polar bears'. :biggrin:

[Your Mentor]

The Camaro is only fun if you're lean and height-challenged. Otherwise, they suck, seriously. You have to remember that wearing a vest and duty belt increases your overal dimensions significantly. I was very comfortable getting in and out of the old Mustang when I was new on the job. I drove one of the new Camaros last year for about three days and couldn't wait to get rid of it. I literally felt claustrophobic. What a pain. Also, you can't carry most of the equipment you need in and R.P. I was glad to get my new CVPI. As for assignment it has nothing to do with seniority. That would only be a factor if more than one officer, equally qualified, is interested in working commercial enforcement at the beat level. For the most part, most guys and gals in a field office just want to hit the beat in a black and white, do eight hours, and go home. Special duty assignments are limited in the field and not necessarily the best job. Driving around alone all day, digging up your own activity, and then going home with no growing in box work pending, is the best job on the department. That's why more than 80% of CHP uniformed members retire as officers. Anyway, vehicles change constantly. You get to enjoy a new car for a few years and then we're on to another make and model. After a while in the field, you're happy just to get a clean car that runs well, and delighted you can drive anywhere you like and use as much gas as you like. That's the best part of this job.