Internal Positions

[amir0727]

Prior to applying to the CHP, I remember taking a trip down to the Stillwater Rd office here in West Sacramento (way before I found this forum) to speak with a female officer who worked as a recruiter. I remember her saying that the CHP offers a variety of 'internal' positions and that my 4 year degree would be applicable if I decided to move inside. I didn't go into too much detail with her as to why I'd like to move into an internal position (of course, as it was then and still is today, my main concern is just making it to the academy) but just out of curiousity, what types of positions does the CHP offer internally? Do they have special departments (i.e. Sac Sheriff has a fraud investigations unit) such as detectives, investigators (other than background related) or IT related?

[decon]

The CHP has all kinds of inside jobs for those who are scared to work the road.

[Mac]

The CHP has all kinds of inside jobs for those who are scared to work the road.
:badgrin: :razz: :lol: :biggrin:



Yes, there are positions doing other than road patrol. There are various investigator positions (usually at the Division level) and participation in a number of multi-agency task forces in various parts of the state. Each office has "special duty" personnel such as Court Officer, Accident Investigation Review Officer, Front Desk Officer, Training Officer, etc. There are numerous such positions, and the staffing varies according to local needs. There are also staff positions at the Division and Headquarters level, performing administrative and field support tasks.

A 4-year degree makes no difference in the vast majority of those positions, though....nor is it a prerequisite for any of them. A person with common sense and some "street smarts" from some years of working the beat would do just as well.

IMO, the biggest advantage a degree serves is that there is an educational pay incentive for it. If one plans to promote to Lieutenant or above, a 4-year degree is desirable.....or, if your degree is in math/physics, it would be a great help getting into MAIT.

[PH3N@M]

Prior to applying to the CHP, I remember taking a trip down to the Stillwater Rd office here in West Sacramento (way before I found this forum) to speak with a female officer who worked as a recruiter. I remember her saying that the CHP offers a variety of 'internal' positions and that my 4 year degree would be applicable if I decided to move inside. I didn't go into too much detail with her as to why I'd like to move into an internal position (of course, as it was then and still is today, my main concern is just making it to the academy) but just out of curiousity, what types of positions does the CHP offer internally? Do they have special departments (i.e. Sac Sheriff has a fraud investigations unit) such as detectives, investigators (other than background related) or IT related?

Are you talking about a Uniformed internal position or a Non-Uniformed internal position? The department has both. A degree is required for many of the higher paying internal non-uniform positions.

[HIPCHIP]

Depending on what your degree is in also may make a difference. My degree is in Kineseology and Sports Medicine, and I was considered for a HQ position only because of this degree when the department was thinking of starting a new program oriented to this field. The department didn't start this program, so I didn't get the position, but having my degree definitely put me at the top of the list for the program.

I've also heard that having a degree in management can be beneficial, but unless it's a special field, a degree won't necessarily be of benefit.

[Chippysgt]

Okay, I am going to jump into this one.

I think having a degree is a definite advantage, not a requirement but an advantage. Generally speaking I have found that officers, of all ranks, who have a college degree are better writers and better speakers than those without a degree.
Headquarters is full of jobs where a person with a degree will have the edge since scores of those jobs involve preparing correspondence for managers. Lots of jobs there involve dealing with the media, shopping for the department, developing information for potential bidders and a lots of other things that have nothing directly to do with law enforcement but they do require smarts. There are also the commercial and auto theft headquarters units that develop intelligence and write policy for the troops in the field.
There are lots of people that have suceeded in this job without a degree but if someone wants to get ahead in this department and wants to work in HQ or Div jobs in this century I would definitely recommend at least a BA. I submit that some of the problems in the upper echelon of the department may be because many of the executive management don't have advanced degrees like MBAs.

[Jeff Rhea]

Approximately 1/3 of the uniformed positions on this department do not work in patrol. This department is far more diverse than just the road patrol officers.

Approximately 1/4 of the employees of this department are non-uniformed. Many sections are run by non-uniformed managers. In those disciplines, the law enforcement skill set is not necessary, but education in other skills sets is.

That said, a degree is a nice to have item, but if it happens to be in say...nuclear physics, we don't actually have nuclear reactors so it won't be of much use.

[amir0727]

Are you talking about a Uniformed internal position or a Non-Uniformed internal position? The department has both. A degree is required for many of the higher paying internal non-uniform positions.

Actually, I was implying both uniformed and non-uniformed positions (either way having to graduate from the academy).

I have a B.S. in Managerial Economics (pretty much everything from management fundamentals all the way up to diversifying a portfolio) so hopefully it'll prove to be of some use to the department. Though believe me, I know a degree does not make the person - there were enough knuckleheads that graduated with me from Davis who were and still prove to be complete idiots. In any event, once the recruiter found out I was a recent graduate she then brought up the idea of going 'internal'.

Either way, my goal is to to become an essential asset to the department, whether it be uniformed or non-uniformed.

Hm, I guess I'll give her a call back later on this week. I'll post what I come up with for others who may be interested as well.

[snowdog]

In any event, once the recruiter found out I was a recent graduate she then brought up the idea of going 'internal'.
Hm, I guess I'll give her a call back later on this week. I'll post what I come up with for others who may be interested as well.
She's a recruiter, and a darn good one at that. It's her job to point out all of the opportunities available for any applicant. I seriously doubt she was encouraging you specifically to take an inside job considering she knows nothing about you other than you have a degree. I know her very well and she would not make a foolish statement like that. I'm not certain what you are hoping to hear by calling her back.
How about focus on getting into the Academy, graduating, making it off of break in, getting off probation then decide if you want to take an Administrative position or possibly promote.

[Yzeman]

Actually, I was implying both uniformed and non-uniformed positions (either way having to graduate from the academy).

I suggest visiting the California Highway Patrol's website and looking into the different jobs that are available, uniform and non-uniform. Do some research on the different jobs, and hopefully one or two of them will jump out at you as something you are interested in. I've said it here before and Snowdog said it perfectly...come on the job to do the job of an Officer. IF after several years as a Road Officer you feel the desire to ‘move inside’…THEN give it a shot. It’s very important to know and remember though…just because a person WANTS an inside job doesn’t mean they will get one, you must be prepared to complete your career as an Officer; a job that in my opinion is one of the most honorable professions available outside of the Military.

[Officer_Grady]

I have never heard the words "diversifying a portfolio" from any applicant. Bank jobs, sales, yes. Weekends, graveyards, every holiday for five years is what this job is all about.

[amir0727]

....Do some research on the different jobs, and hopefully one or two of them will jump out at you as something you are interested in...

My mind is already set on becoming an officer. I think it's the most rewarding line of work the CHP has to offer. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about the department and what it offers. I mean, if I'm going to be (hopefully) spending 30+ years with the department then I'd like to soak up as much information as possible about the organization. There's really not much I can do at this point but wait to hear from my BI, of course that's all in addition to working out and preparing for a desirable outcome.:wink:

Oh, I forgot to add my thanks for all the inputs. Good info here!

[bob388]

That said, a degree is a nice to have item, but if it happens to be in say...nuclear physics, we don't actually have nuclear reactors so it won't be of much use.

That is why I left Jeff. No nuclear reactors.

[Andy O'Hara]

Okay, I am going to jump into this one.

I think having a degree is a definite advantage, not a requirement but an advantage. Generally speaking I have found that officers, of all ranks, who have a college degree are better writers and better speakers than those without a degree.


Well said and very true--the writing, the speaking, the ability to borrow on a wider range of exposures that come with the education.

I never finished up my degree, but 3 years of military and 3 years of college gave me a lot.

Personally, I think everyone should be required to stay on the beat for a certain number of years before warming a chair, regardless of the education. I don't know what that number should be, though. Same thing with promotions.

[Mary-1]

Personally, I think everyone should be required to stay on the beat for a certain number of years before warming a chair, regardless of the education. I don't know what that number should be, though. Same thing with promotions.

That would be breaking tradition. Can't do that.