View Full Version : The CHP?
coastie01
12-26-2005, 12:42 PM
I was a cadet with a department in CA all through High School and part of college, so I grew up think of CHP as AAA with guns but now I am in the Coast Guard and looking where I want to work when I get out and the CHP doesn't look that bad. How do you all like it. I enjoyed traffic while I was at the PD but is that really all you do. Do you guys ever respond to fun calls, i.e. parties? Don't get me wrong I am in no way talking down about the CHP just want to hear about from actual CHP Officers.
Thank You,
Nick
Your Mentor
12-26-2005, 12:55 PM
Welcome. We often get called to assist allied agencies with parties, domestics, etc., but that is not our focus or responsibility. The list is far too long to quote here. Read as many threads as you can and I believe your questions will be answered. I can relate this much though; I spent 9 years in the Coast Guard and although I enjoyed it immensely, that time pales in comparison to the fun I've had on the CHP. Not to mention it's much better money. I know an Eric Simmons who's stationed in Maine. He's in telecom. Been in the CG at least 20 years now. Know him?
Well, let's see....in '92, I spent a couple weeks responding to a "party" call that had gotten a little out of hand - some call it the Rodney King Riots. A year or two later, I did it again at the "non-riots" surrounding the verdict in that case. The CHP has also responded to some "party" calls like the Lawrence Livermore riots, the San Luis Obispo spring break riots, and other various fun party calls. I've responded to back the sheriffs and PDs on fun calls like 'shots fired', 'burglary in progress', 'cover now', etc. I've also been flagged down for, and/or run into, numerous domestic violence situations, which I'm always happy to turn over to an allied agency....I have no desire to play referee or marriage counselor for dysfunctional people in various states of alcohol/drug intoxication who have no control over their own lives. No disrespect intended toward the PD/SO - in fact, I admire their patience in having to deal with these calls over and over and over again.
As YourMentor said - these type of calls aren't our main focus, but we do assist on them a lot. While our main focus is traffic enforcement, we get involved in a lot more than that. As he said, read through some of the other threads here and you'll find a lot of information about "other" stuff we get into besides writing tickets and taking crashes. There's definitely a lot more to it than that.
Your Mentor
12-26-2005, 02:00 PM
Great points Mac. I forgot about those 'parties.' Or the Iraq War protests, or Biotech 2004, or . . . Getting deployed for protests and riots is definitely something that AAA-with-a-gun doesn't fit. If that's part of the AAA-with-a-gun job description, then sign me up. Actually, come to think of it, I'm certain Coastie01 can relate after enduring the moniker, "Shallow Water Sailor," or, "Puddle Pirate."
I actually get a laugh out of the "AAA with a gun" thing, because it just shows the ignorance of the speaker. There was a PD Sergeant who we would occasionally run across at "borderline" calls, and his favorite thing, which he fancied as enormously amusing, was to ask "So how's the world of fenders, tires, wheels and hubcaps?". I repeatedly let it slide without comment, but finally couldn't resist one night - he showed up and proudly spouted his usual line, and I replied "It's great - how's the world of barking dogs, burglary reports and marriage counseling?". :badgrin:
coastie01
12-27-2005, 01:58 AM
I think the transititon from "triple a on the water" to "triple a with a gun" could be smooth. As far as the Puddle Pirate thing goes, I was stationedon 32nd St. Naval Base in San Diego. Needless to say I have heard that from time to time.
Its the "brown" water Navy isn't it? (Tongue firmly in cheek....former Navy guy myself) Great points Mac! Come join the Highway Patrol...trust us you'll love it!
Tom
x MAIT
12-27-2005, 09:16 AM
I posted this on the "other" site when the "AAA with a gun" thing was mentioned there. More CHP Officers have died in the line of duty than any other agency in the State of California. Only LAPD comes close, with most other large agencies having less than half the number. I have been to way too many funerals.
Stay safe!
coastie01
12-28-2005, 01:53 AM
Its the "brown" water Navy isn't it? (Tongue firmly in cheek....former Navy guy myself) Great points Mac! Come join the Highway Patrol...trust us you'll love it!
Tom
Anyone can navigate a ship in the middle of the ocean it actually takes skill to do it new the coast.:cool:
I LIKE IT! Except I was a submariner! :lol:
Tom
Cameron
12-28-2005, 06:02 AM
Tom- what did you serve on? Fast-attacks or boomers?
Fast attack - SSN-639 the Terrible Tautog and SSN-672 the Pintado. Both are razor blades now I hear.
Tom
coastie01
12-28-2005, 07:20 AM
Anyone can navigate a ship in the middle of the ocean it actually takes skill to do it new the coast.:cool: [/quote]
That would have been a good one if could spell.:lol:
Anyone can navigate a ship in the middle of the ocean it actually takes skill to do it new the coast.:cool:
That would have been a good one if could spell.:lol: [/quote]
LOL.....it's OK, you got your point across anywho! :smile:
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