California Highway Patrol

Something a little festive from our San Gorgonio Office...

Effective December 17, 2020, the CHP Academy will temporarily suspend cadet training. CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray stated, Cadets are critical to the CHP’s mission, however out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with the California Department of Public Health and the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, we are temporarily closing the Academy to limit possible workplace exposure during the statewide surge in cases. We will continue to keep the cadets engaged in the education process through remote learning. We look forward to welcoming back our 133 cadets in early 2021.

Nearly six teen drivers are involved in a fatal car crash every day in the US. Inexperience combined with driver distraction increases the risk for error, making vehicle crashes the leading cause of death for young drivers in the nation. The CHP is working with Impact Teen Drivers to reverse this pervasive yet 100% preventable crisis: https://bit.ly/2TeSUtw

Today, after over 38 years with the California Highway Patrol, Commissioner Warren Stanley has announced his retirement effective November 17, 2020. He has expressed his gratitude to Governor Newsom, and his staff, for the years of partnership and support. He would also like to thank the public for the opportunity to serve you all. Finally, he would like to congratulate Deputy Commissioner Amanda Ray on her appointment to Commissioner on November 17, 2020. Deputy Commissioner... Ray has been a pioneer for women in law enforcement as the first female in the CHP’s 91-year history to hold the position of Commissioner for the nation’s largest state police agency. Throughout her career, she has actively engaged with the communities she serves, seeking every opportunity to participate in outreach events, and active involvement in departmental programs to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California. See more

We send our deepest sympathies to Sergeant Harry Cohen's family, friends, and to all of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Rest in peace Sergeant Cohen.

Make sure your Halloween is a fun and safe one, by wearing a mask, watching for costumed trick-or-treaters darting into the street, not driving distracted, and designating a sober driver. Happy Halloween!

Congratulations to the 77 new officers that graduated the CHP - Academy today - welcome to the CHP family!

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, ahead of any type of injury, disease, or violence. The CHP is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to encourage parents and guardians to discuss driver safety with their young drivers. Discussions about safe driving include avoiding distractions such as cell phones, using seat belts, obeying speed limits, not driving impaired, and limiting the number of passengers. The CHP provides free education to help keep teen drivers alive in its Start Smart course, offered by all CHP offices. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes are being held online. Contact your local CHP Area office for information on how to enroll: https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office

The CHP is launching a new education and enforcement campaign to reduce the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers in California. In 2018, there were 566 deaths and 11,298 injuries associated with DUI crashes within the CHP’s jurisdiction. Each one of these injuries and deaths represents a preventable tragedy and a continued need to focus efforts on reducing impaired driving. The Safer Highways Statewide grant provides the CHP with funding to conduct additional DUI saturation patrols, DUI checkpoints, and traffic safety education efforts throughout the state. The CHP will also participate in the NHTSA Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. For more info about the new grant please visit: http://chp.click/shs

The CHP is gearing up to increase motorcycle safety awareness in California. A new federal grant will allow the CHP to increase motorcycle safety activities and reduce the number of motorcycle-involved crashes and victims. The safety campaigns will promote the use of helmets for all riders and raise motorists’ awareness of sharing the road with motorcyclists. The campaigns will also focus on the most dangerous traffic violations, including speeding, improper turning, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. https://bit.ly/36JAglB

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law; this landmark civil rights law affirmed the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of disability. The purpose of the ADA is to prohibit discrimination and guarantee that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else. Since its enactment, our country has taken great strides toward the ADA's promise of true inclusion, and Americans with and without disab...ilities increasingly live, learn, work, play and contribute side-by-side. We are proud to feature stories from some of our own CHP employees who are living and working with disabilities. Rochelle became deaf at age six and wants to share the message that being deaf is not a disability. As she says, I can’t hear, but I can fully communicate and do everything that other people can do. She has been with the CHP for more than 26 years and has seen a lot of positive progress being made for state employees with disabilities. Rochelle credits the CHP with providing resources, like a staff interpreter and video interpreter services, which give her the ability to advocate for people with disabilities at meetings with the Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities and the Statewide Disability Advisory Council. She is most proud of her work shedding light on deaf culture and for successfully moving up through the ranks to her current supervisory role. She hopes her story will encourage other people with disabilities to pursue a career they may not have considered possible.

The CHP has received a federal grant to help fund its teen driver safety program, Start Smart. The free class was developed specifically for newly licensed teen drivers and their parents or guardians, to address common driving dangers. The program is currently being conducted online because of the coronavirus pandemic. More information about Start Smart can be found on the free CHP Start Smart mobile app, available for both Android and iOS devices: https://apple.co/3jzFFyi ... | https://ply.gl/chp.ca.gov.startsmart Parents and teenagers can register for a free Start Smart class by contacting their local CHP office: https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office