California Highway Patrol

The organization is comprised of several crucial sections or units, each performing unique and essential roles:

• Traffic Patrol Unit: This team primarily handles traffic stops, issuing citations, and investigating traffic accidents. They are often the first on the scene following highway incidents, ensuring swift response and remediation.

• Crime Prevention Unit: Besides maintaining order on the roads, CHP is deeply involved in crime fighting. This unit tackles various offenses, lending invaluable support to statewide crime prevention efforts.

• Public Safety Education Unit: Responsible for promoting safe driving practices and educating children on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, this unit plays a crucial role in the proactive aspect of public safety.

• Freeway Service Patrol: This unit provides complimentary services to stranded motorists, proving that the CHP isn’t just about enforcement but also about public service and assistance.
• DUI Enforcement Unit: The CHP also plays a significant role in preventing and handling DUI cases, coordinating large-scale crackdowns with local law enforcement.

The California Highway Patrol was officially founded on August 14, 1929, with a mission to ensure safety on California’s then rapidly expanding highway system. Over the years, the CHP’s responsibilities have evolved and expanded to match the growing needs of the state’s residents and the evolving challenges on its roads.

A significant event in CHP’s history was its merger with the California State Police in 1995. This unification further expanded the CHP’s duties, solidifying its role as a comprehensive law enforcement agency tasked with safeguarding not just highways but also state property and personnel.

The relationship between the CHP and the communities it serves extends beyond law enforcement. The CHP is an integral part of the fabric of the society it protects, emphasizing cooperation, mutual respect, and service.

The CHP offers non-emergency crime reporting, providing the public with accessible avenues to report crimes and share relevant information. This facility underscores the CHP’s commitment to transparency and public collaboration in fighting crime.

Moreover, the CHP operates within a framework of collaboration with local police departments and sheriff’s offices. It aids in apprehending criminals trying to escape via the freeway, supports large-scale DUI crackdowns, and assists other police jurisdictions as needed. This collaborative approach enhances overall law enforcement effectiveness across California.

Lastly, through the Freeway Service Patrol and Public Safety Education Unit, the CHP serves its community by providing tangible assistance to motorists in need and imparting crucial safety education. These actions highlight the CHP’s devotion to public service, epitomizing their ethos – not just maintaining law and order but actively nurturing the well-being of California’s residents.

Through each of these avenues, the California Highway Patrol faithfully fulfills its mandate, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to serving, protecting, and educating the people of California.

3165 Gold Valley Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

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