CHP vs. Local Law Enforcement

[SR-25]

After I graduate college I will be applying to different agencies. I'm just trying to figure out some of the differences between the two. Besides the obvious one of writing more tickets and doing more driving than a Local LEO. The fact of the matter is that I love to drive and thats what sparked my interest in the CHP. ( Although I have gotten my only two tickets from them ).

[undertow999]

Welcome to the forum, there are alot of people on this forum that can help you out.

Now for your questions, the main difference, I think, between the CHP and any other Local LE Agency can be seen from the name. CHP is jurisdiction to enforce all CA laws anywhere in the state. Local agencies are usually limited either to city limits(police dept) or county lines (sherrif). The CHP focuses more on the traffic enforcement side of CA law, but dont let that full you, they can enforce any law in CA. Also, CHP rarely take calls to local complaints, such as domestic violence, noise violations etc. (except for some of the officers that work in the more rural areas of CA. I think the main difference between the CHP and any LE Agency in the country is the amount of training each officer goes through. Many officers from other agencies will commend the CHP on their academy and their training.

Also, within the CHP, you can transfer anywhere in the state, where as with a local agency, you would have to apply for a lateral transfer to another agency. There are also so many different paths you can take with the CHP i.e. commercial enforcement, governor protection, auto theft investigation etc.... Other agencies have similar opportunities as well.

Look around this forum by using the search button at the top right on any topic you may think of, and just absorb the info. THis is a great place for hopefulls, like yourself and me to get information from officers or people who are further than us in the hiring process. Do not be affraid to ask questions. If you look on the CHP homepage, it has so much info on different opportunities within the department.

ALso, keep in mind i am just a hopefull who is stuck in the black hole of background investigation :biggrin: , and there are probablly other people on this board who can answer these questions better. To those who can, please feel free to correct me on any errors i may have made. Thanks

[undertow999]

Here is a list of possible job duties you can apply for once you are with the department:

* Motorcycle Officer
* Canine Unit
* Academy Staff
* Recruiter
* Air Operations
* Dignitary Protection
* Court Officer
* Drug Recognition Expert
* Mounted Patrol
* Weapons Officer
* Safety Services Detail
* Bicycle Patrol
* Public Affairs Officer
* Background Investigator
* Capitol Protective Services
* Evidence Officer
* Auto Theft Investigator
* Court Protective Services
* Commercial Vehicle Officer
* Advanced Accident Investigation
* Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team
* Field Training Officer
* Training Coordinator

[dw]

Welcome to the forum, there are alot of people on this forum that can help you out.

Now for your questions, the main difference, I think, between the CHP and any other Local LE Agency can be seen from the name. CHP is jurisdiction to enforce all CA laws anywhere in the state. Local agencies are usually limited either to city limits(police dept) or county lines (sherrif). The CHP focuses more on the traffic enforcement side of CA law, but dont let that full you, they can enforce any law in CA. Also, CHP rarely take calls to local complaints, such as domestic violence, noise violations etc. (except for some of the officers that work in the more rural areas of CA. I think the main difference between the CHP and any LE Agency in the country is the amount of training each officer goes through. Many officers from other agencies will commend the CHP on their academy and their training.

Also, within the CHP, you can transfer anywhere in the state, where as with a local agency, you would have to apply for a lateral transfer to another agency. There are also so many different paths you can take with the CHP i.e. commercial enforcement, governor protection, auto theft investigation etc.... Other agencies have similar opportunities as well.

Look around this forum by using the search button at the top right on any topic you may think of, and just absorb the info. THis is a great place for hopefulls, like yourself and me to get information from officers or people who are further than us in the hiring process. Do not be affraid to ask questions. If you look on the CHP homepage, it has so much info on different opportunities within the department.

ALso, keep in mind i am just a hopefull who is stuck in the black hole of background investigation :biggrin: , and there are probablly other people on this board who can answer these questions better. To those who can, please feel free to correct me on any errors i may have made. Thanks



Just for the record, a Peace Officer in California is a Peace Officer, regardless of agency and has jurisdiction across all codes throughout the State. Individual policies may restrict enforcement action outside of an local's primary jurisdiction, but as far as the law goes, a cop is a cop -- regardless.

[undertow999]

Just for the record, a Peace Officer in California is a Peace Officer, regardless of agency and has jurisdiction across all codes throughout the State. Individual policies may restrict enforcement action outside of an local's primary jurisdiction, but as far as the law goes, a cop is a cop -- regardless.

Thanks for the clarification dw. I appologize if I came off as undercutting other LE Agencies and their duties, because that was not my intention. For some reason I thought their jurisdiction was limited to the county or city they patrolled, but thank you for correcting me.