The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police.
The California State Legislature established the California Highway Patrol as a branch of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Public Works, with legislation signed by Governor C. C. Young on August 14, 1929. It was formed as a separate department in 1947 by Governor Earl Warren. The CHP gradually assumed increased responsibility beyond the enforcement of the State Vehicle Act and eventually merged with the California State Police in 1995.
In addition to its highway patrol duties, the CHP also provides other services including protecting state buildings and facilities (most notably the California State Capitol), and bodyguarding state officials. The CHP also works with municipal law enforcement agencies, providing assistance in investigations, patrol, and other aspects of law enforcement.
The California Highway Patrol is the largest state police agency in the United States, with more than 11,000 employees, 7,500 of whom are sworn officers, according to FBI data.
Read more about California Highway Patrol: Highway Patrol Duties, Special Responsibilities, Organization, Rank Structure, Traditions, Seven Points of The CHP Badge, Code of Honor, Fallen Officers, Mexico Liaison Unit, Newhall Incident, Mergers, Duty Weapons, Vehicles and Patrol Cars, Rogue Officers, Media References, Programs, Origins of The California Highway Patrol's Name
Famous quotes containing the words california and/or highway:
“Resorts advertised for waitresses, specifying that they “must appear in short clothes or no engagement.” Below a Gospel Guide column headed, “Where our Local Divines Will Hang Out Tomorrow,” was an account of spirited gun play at the Bon Ton. In Jeff Winney’s California Concert Hall, patrons “bucked the tiger” under the watchful eye of Kitty Crawhurst, popular “lady” gambler.”
—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“The improved American highway system ... isolated the American-in-transit. On his speedway ... he had no contact with the towns which he by-passed. If he stopped for food or gas, he was served no local fare or local fuel, but had one of Howard Johnson’s nationally branded ice cream flavors, and so many gallons of Exxon. This vast ocean of superhighways was nearly as free of culture as the sea traversed by the Mayflower Pilgrims.”
—Daniel J. Boorstin (b. 1914)