California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for ensuring the safety and security of California’s highways and unincorporated roadways. Serving the entire state, the CHP operates across urban, suburban, and rural areas, providing traffic enforcement, accident investigation, and assistance to motorists. With a strong presence along major freeways and state routes, the CHP works to prevent collisions, enforce vehicle and traffic laws, and respond quickly to roadway emergencies.

In addition to traffic safety, the CHP plays a vital role in statewide law enforcement and public service. Officers assist during natural disasters, coordinate with local and federal agencies on criminal investigations, and provide protection to state officials and facilities. The CHP also leads specialized units such as the Commercial Vehicle Section, Air Operations, and the Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). Through proactive enforcement, education, and community engagement, the CHP remains dedicated to protecting life and property throughout California.

Mission Statement

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California. The CHP is dedicated to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the state’s roadways, enforcing traffic laws with fairness and professionalism, and protecting life and property. With a commitment to integrity, respect, and accountability, the department works to foster public trust through community partnerships and transparent policing. CHP officers uphold the highest standards as they serve all Californians, striving to create a secure environment for residents, workers, and travelers alike.

Code of Ethics

A code of ethics represents the core values and principles that guide the actions of all California Highway Patrol personnel. As law enforcement officers, our duty is to serve the public honorably—to safeguard lives and property, to stand against injustice, and to uphold the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. We are committed to acting with courage and fairness, protecting the vulnerable, and maintaining peace without prejudice. The CHP’s ethical foundation is built on honesty, accountability, and dedication to service.

Expectations

Becoming a member of the California Highway Patrol requires unwavering commitment, character, and professionalism. CHP officers are held to the highest standards and must embody the values of discipline, service, and leadership both in and out of uniform. Every applicant is expected to demonstrate key attributes during the hiring process and throughout their career.

Primary Traits:

• Integrity & Accountability – Being truthful, dependable, and responsible in all actions.

• Maturity & Discipline – Showing composure, self-control, and dedication to duty.

• Sound Judgment – Making rational, informed decisions in fast-paced situations.

• Respect & Empathy – Treating the public with fairness, compassion, and dignity.

• Teamwork – Collaborating effectively with colleagues and community partners.

Secondary Skills:

• Clear and professional communication, both written and verbal.

• Understanding of traffic enforcement and community-oriented policing.

• Flexibility and resilience in high-pressure and emergency situations.

• Command presence and professional appearance.

• Familiarity with de-escalation techniques and appropriate use of force protocols.

As a CHP officer, you serve as a protector, problem-solver, and role model across California. Your duty extends beyond enforcing traffic laws—you are a trusted figure in communities, a leader during crises, and a constant advocate for public safety and justice. Officers are expected to uphold excellence in all interactions and lead by example in every aspect of their service.

Traffic Enforcement Division

The California Highway Patrol’s Traffic Enforcement Division is at the core of the agency’s mission to ensure the safety and efficiency of California’s vast roadway system. Through proactive patrol, accident prevention, and educational outreach, CHP officers focus on reducing collisions, injuries, and fatalities across highways and state routes. Emphasis is placed on stopping high-risk behaviors such as excessive speeding, DUI, reckless driving, and distracted driving. The division plays a vital role in promoting a safe driving culture for the millions who travel California’s roads daily.

Special Operations Unit

The California Highway Patrol’s Special Operations Unit is a multifaceted division trained to respond to high-risk and specialized incidents throughout the state. The unit supports critical operations such as dignitary protection, high-risk warrant service, tactical interventions, and security for large-scale public events. With expertly trained personnel and specialized equipment, this division ensures that the CHP is prepared to respond rapidly and effectively to threats against public safety, infrastructure, and state personnel.

Air Operations Unit

The California Highway Patrol’s Air Operations Unit provides essential aerial support to ground units across California’s diverse terrain. Utilizing helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, the unit assists with vehicle pursuits, crash investigations, search and rescue missions, and disaster response. With highly trained pilots and flight officers, Air Operations significantly enhances CHP’s ability to respond quickly to incidents across rural and urban areas, helping to save lives and maintain traffic safety from the skies.

Investigative Services Unit (ISU)

The CHP’s Investigative Services Unit is responsible for conducting in-depth investigations into serious crimes affecting California’s transportation systems and public safety. This includes vehicle theft rings, identity fraud, organized crime, and threats to state facilities or officials. The ISU employs advanced surveillance methods, interagency coordination, and criminal intelligence to identify and dismantle complex criminal networks operating throughout the state.

Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)

The California Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) specializes in reconstructing major traffic collisions that involve fatalities, commercial vehicles, or significant public interest. Using advanced tools such as drone mapping, forensics, and engineering analysis, MAIT investigates the causes of complex crashes to support criminal prosecution, improve road design, and inform public safety policies. The team’s technical expertise helps uncover the truth behind serious incidents and prevent future tragedies.

Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF)

The CHP’s Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) is a specialized unit focused on combating auto theft and related criminal enterprises. Working in partnership with local and federal agencies, the task force conducts surveillance, undercover operations, and long-term investigations to identify and arrest those responsible for stolen vehicles, VIN switching, and resale fraud. The VTTF plays a critical role in protecting property, reducing insurance fraud, and disrupting organized theft rings throughout California.