Chp....why Is It Getting Knocked???

[phxsundevil19]

From what i see, CHP makes decent/good money. With all the extras they add in, you are starting around $66000 after the academy....and go up to $90000... i dont know of too many other agencies en cali like that. i dont know nocal at all so cant speak for them, but CHP is hated for some reason on here...

[hbliam]

minus 7% to pay your PERS. and 5/8's unless they all pick up the 3/12 schedule being tested at selected stations.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they are hated though.

And most major agencies pay that or better.

[Five-0fromSoCal]

As far as pay goes, CHP is not the best and definately not the worst. As for being hated, I dont think any agency is hated.

[23109]

minus 7% to pay your PERS. and 5/8's unless they all pick up the 3/12 schedule being tested at selected stations.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they are hated though.

And most major agencies pay that or better.

The state gave us a 7% raise to offset what we pay into PERS.

We certainly aren't the best paid but we aren't the worst paid either.

Besides, us Traffic Cops always get knocked. ;)

[hbliam]

The state gave us a 7% raise to offset what we pay into PERS.




So you got a 0% raise?

[nobody33]

From what i see, CHP makes decent/good money. With all the extras they add in, you are starting around $66000 after the academy....and go up to $90000... i dont know of too many other agencies en cali like that. i dont know nocal at all so cant speak for them, but CHP is hated for some reason on here...


Don't look at that OT figure on their website.. I don't know any agency that doesnt get ot. And in the bay area, they are underpaid. In so cal they are average. In central cali and the rural areas they are far and above the best paid.

[L-1]

State law says that CHP's total compensation package must be the average of the five largest law enforcement agencies in the state. Right now I believe that's LAPD, LASO, San Francisco PD, Oakland PD and San Diego PD.
Because San Diego pays so poorly, it really brings the average down. The term "total compensation" includes pay and benefits such as retirement, medical insurance contribution, lunch pay, uniform allowance, etc.

The retirement contribution issue is sort of a dog and pony show. Many years back, CHP officers agreed to give up a pay raise in return for the state picking up their contribution to the retirement system (which was the same as getting an 8% raise). Now, a lot of people are complaining about this and want the officers to start paying for retirement out of their own pocket. The problem is, doing this will take them below the average of the five different agencies, so the state has to give the officers an additional raise equivalent to the cost of their retirement contribution to stay within the law. They got this on top of their regularly negotiated raise.

No harm, no foul. Just smoke and mirrors.

[deputy x 2]

From what i see, CHP makes decent/good money. With all the extras they add in, you are starting around $66000 after the academy....and go up to $90000... i dont know of too many other agencies en cali like that. i dont know nocal at all so cant speak for them, but CHP is hated for some reason on here...


:confused: :confused:

Where did you come up with that nonsense??

The California Highway Patrol is a highly respected agency. Depending on where you are assigned 66K-99K is good pay.

[DOAcop38]

:confused: :confused:

Where did you come up with that nonsense??

The California Highway Patrol is a highly respected agency. Depending on where you are assigned 66K-99K is good pay.

Ditto,sistah!!! I don't know of any ChiPPie thats starving!! and CHP does have very high standards ,but then again, almost all of the Ca. agencies have very high standards thanks to CA.POST !down south here ( So.Calif) the high payers are Bev Hills PD,CulverCity PD, Glendale PD,Santa Ana PD,Anaheim PD,Torrance PD,Laguna Beach and Newport Bch PD,Huntington Beach PD. LAPD doesn't do badly-but they are far more over worked than the rest (starting $52K to $89K/yr-"my" LAX PD is an avg $54K to $81K/yr),LASD fairs welll on its new contract -about $54K to $92K/yr-but as earlier stated most everyone locally gets alot of OT,so even where I am you can make low to even mid $100K( usually $105K to $130K/yr) just on court time and regular arrests- $100K is probably an"avg" pay for Bay area Depts,given the activity and cost of living.Like most Ca. Depts- the CHP probably doesn't get alot of applicants because the "job" is not as easy as most walk on and start jobs available to civilians in this state( a bus driver can make $50-60K/yr here),so the $$ is not the issue...........

[phxsundevil19]

sorry i meant to disrespect to CHP and didnt mean to sound that they are hated... so does torrance, santa ana, glendale pay their own retirement? are they good dept. what is deal with LAPD??? who will hire a recruit at 20 1/2 and put them through the academy at that age. i would like to stay in AZ with phoenix or say DPS, but the money made in retirement is far superior in CA compared to AZ. im from socal (west covina) but live in phx now.. just wondering what i should do. im torn between the two :(

[SgtCHP]

The CHP is a highly respected agency worldwide. It is not the highest paid, best managed, all-around axxkicking agency that others may be; but, it is regarded as forward thinking and the officers carry a great deal of pride in their performance.

The only animosity comes fromt he fact that the CHP encounters a major crime and turns it over to the allied agencies for completion. That is to maintain integrity of investigation and prosecution.

The state could easily mandate otherwise, but the patrol itself is opposed to the "STATE POLICE" aspect of taking over investigations and causing conflict.

OVer the years there have been many legislators who have wanted to expand the authority of the department to oversee ALL aspects of transportation - air, sea, ground and rail. That would mean a loss of monies to many agencies who patrol rapid transit, airports, ports and terminals. The department played down those efforts and were successful. However, don't rule that out. It could come to pass if crime in our state continues and more street cops are needed in the neighborhoods - the CHP could be expanded to an overall, transportation policing agency.

[DOAcop38]

sorry i meant to disrespect to CHP and didnt mean to sound that they are hated... so does torrance, santa ana, glendale pay their own retirement? are they good dept. what is deal with LAPD??? who will hire a recruit at 20 1/2 and put them through the academy at that age. i would like to stay in AZ with phoenix or say DPS, but the money made in retirement is far superior in CA compared to AZ. im from socal (west covina) but live in phx now.. just wondering what i should do. im torn between the two :(

unless you feel compelled to "come home" to Ca. stay where you are.i know that the West coast housing boom( crisis actually) has made housing go up all over the west- nevada,Colorado,New Mexico,Ariz,even Texas are feeling the effect of the High cost of housing in CA.!!!If you have a comfortable lifestyle,friends and likeable community in Az,stay-the agencies out there( Mesa,Tempe,Phoenix,glendale,nogales,Chandler,even the Sheriffs Depts such as Pima,Pinal, and Maricopa ,all NEED people ( heck they even come out REGULARLY to the L.A. county fairgrounds in Pomona during the annual Police career expo to recruit potential Californians willling to "jump ship").Avg Az salaries are $40K to 65K/yr,crime and activity are no different-maybe less there sometimes,and opportunites to pormote are good considering that laot of the cities are still growing.Other than weather ( Az can get hot as hades in many parts and often very cold in some),its all about job satisfaction and "quality of life"( in Az, homes are cheaper, communities are newer and cleaner)-if you want to come to the "beach"take a bi annual 4-6 hr trip to CA and kick back for a few days,other than that plenty of lakes in Az to go to.And many Az depts will test you at 20 1/2,as long as you turn 21 upon hire.As far as retirement? like anyone else- save your $$$-open an annuity or look for a deferred comp or 401K program with the dept you hire on to to supplement your retirement fund-start early and continue to pay into it.Also buy property early and continue to buy as much as you can( something i learned late in my career).rental property gains equity,and equity spells $$$ nestegg! As far as LAPD is concerned- it is what it is !"big" blue has nearly 1/7 officers in the state of Ca working for it,and you can apply online if you want to make it an option.LAPDs pay is decent and gets better with time on the job-bonus pay,promos,longevity.apply for at least (5) Depts-CHP is good,LAPD or LASD online,then at least 2 or 3 depts in AZ(the DPS,Phoeniz,Mesa,Maricopa Co.sheriffs) good luck........

[DOAcop38]

OVer the years there have been many legislators who have wanted to expand the authority of the department to oversee ALL aspects of transportation - air, sea, ground and rail. That would mean a loss of monies to many agencies who patrol rapid transit, airports, ports and terminals. The department played down those efforts and were successful. However, don't rule that out. It could come to pass if crime in our state continues and more street cops are needed in the neighborhoods - the CHP could be expanded to an overall, transportation policing agency.

Actually,it wouldn't- some of the east coast states have their "staties" patrolling the Airports ,and ports,bridges and transit lines( trains and buses).The transit agencies either work thru a state,county,municipal ,or interagency dept and have their own L.E. units,so the cost in minimal compared to having the local larger municipality operate their officers in that setting.Here in L.A. LAPD wants to take over the port of L.A. and Airport police units.They claim it would be more "efficient" and better patrolled,but ,LAPD has done poorly in the past in terms of providing police services to the transit sector(public bus and train lines),leaving the transit agencies to contract with the LASD or have their own "non peace officer security units".Maybe not L.A.,or Orange county ( who have their own police unts) but for a city that doesn't want the liability of policing at the Airports,contracting CHP would spell instant problem resolved).whereas,say an LAPD would promise manpower and resources,but would strip them away as soon as they could, a CHP contract would continue to place manpower exactly where its required. I thnik the only reaons why CHP hasn't gone fully into "state police " mode is because the major city Police chiefs and county sheriffs in Ca. don't support it,even if it would ease their crime burdens...

[COASTIE01]

Actually,it wouldn't- some of the east coast states have their "staties" patrolling the Airports ,and ports,bridges and transit lines( trains and buses).The transit agencies either work thru a state,county,municipal ,or interagency dept and have their own L.E. units,so the cost in minimal compared to having the local larger municipality operate their officers in that setting.Here in L.A. LAPD wants to take over the port of L.A. and Airport police units.They claim it would be more "efficient" and better patrolled,but ,LAPD has done poorly in the past in terms of providing police services to the transit sector(public bus and train lines),leaving the transit agencies to contract with the LASD or have their own "non peace officer security units".Maybe not L.A.,or Orange county ( who have their own police unts) but for a city that doesn't want the liability of policing at the Airports,contracting CHP would spell instant problem resolved).whereas,say an LAPD would promise manpower and resources,but would strip them away as soon as they could, a CHP contract would continue to place manpower exactly where its required. I thnik the only reaons why CHP hasn't gone fully into "state police " mode is because the major city Police chiefs and county sheriffs in Ca. don't support it,even if it would ease their crime burdens...

I think that the Chief's are apposed to the CHP becoming more of a "State Police" is because not only would it ease the crime burdens but it would also "ease" their funding.

[mbmx13]

Personally, I don't have anything against the CHP except that they are the only agency that I am aware of that pulls over fellow coppers and gives them a ticket.

The other problem that I can see with CHP is the current procedure where they don't call in plates when making traffic stops due to the high volume of radio traffic. Instead, they write down each plate on a slip of paper and then make the stop.

I feel that not calling in the plate is a big officer safety issue and I would not choose to work for the organization.

[hbliam]

Personally, I don't have anything against the CHP except that they are the only agency that I am aware of that pulls over fellow coppers and gives them a ticket.

The other problem that I can see with CHP is the current procedure where they don't call in plates when making traffic stops due to the high volume of radio traffic. Instead, they write down each plate on a slip of paper and then make the stop.

I feel that not calling in the plate is a big officer safety issue and I would not choose to work for the organization.

Not only do they not call in the plates they don't even call in the stop period. Meaning if they get into something and only have time to say "help" no one knows where they are. (This is per a current CHP Officer that works the Cochella Valley).

[phxsundevil19]

WTF? are you serious? they dont even call in their 20 or the plates? you would think after Newhall they would make a few more changes. that is crazy. so i take it they do not have computers in the patrol cars?

[Five-0fromSoCal]

Not only do they not call in the plates they don't even call in the stop period. Meaning if they get into something and only have time to say "help" no one knows where they are. (This is per a current CHP Officer that works the Cochella Valley).

Either do we. Too much traffic. Usually guys put in a obs after the stop on their mdt. Guys then know where they are.

[ElDiabloJoe]

CHP members I've spoken to and read postings from indicate they are a much more mainstream agency than I believe them to be. I still believe they are very much the Pre-Newhall agency they have always been.

This was reinforced to me only a few years ago in 2000 when I went and did some shooting training off-duty with some off-duty CHPs from the IE area. It was conducted by another CHP guy. They criticized, roundly, my modified weaver stance, and insited on the benefits of engaging active-shooter targets from the isoceles stance. AND this guy was a recongized agency trainer, and none of the other traffic gurus questioned him.

I was dumbfounded to say the least.

And I have yet to be convinced of the benefits of pulling over multiple vehicles at one time. Disaster waiting to happen, IMHO.

YMMV,

EDJ

[SgtCHP]

WTF? are you serious? they dont even call in their 20 or the plates? you would think after Newhall they would make a few more changes. that is crazy. so i take it they do not have computers in the patrol cars?

The truth be told, YES, the CHP officers do not call in their stops or locations unless they are suspicious of the exigent circumstances.

Having served with a police department before going to the CHP I found it to be a problem at first but then adapted to the practice. Of course, that was in the days prior to CRTs and rapid response computers - which units have installed. A registration or driver license check used to take up to thirty minutes for a response.

With today's systems the Department should upgrade and enact better officer safety practices. Their new radios are equipped with GPS and emergency beacons that can be activated in the event of trouble. We don't need any more Newhall incidents!!!!

[23109]

WTF? are you serious? they dont even call in their 20 or the plates? you would think after Newhall they would make a few more changes. that is crazy. so i take it they do not have computers in the patrol cars?

Correct, we do not call in traffic stops. Officer safety issue definately. We do have computers in our cars with an active GPS system.

If we called in every stop we made, our dispatchers would be overwelmed just from our traffic stops. Depending on the area you work in, it's hard enough just to get in plate and DL checks over the air without getting stepped on by another unit.

Our primary purpose IS traffic enforcement, so we tend to stop a lot of cars.

Personally I'd like us to call in every stop, but it's just not practical and comes with the job.

[DOAcop38]

CHP members I've spoken to and read postings from indicate they are a much more mainstream agency than I believe them to be. I still believe they are very much the Pre-Newhall agency they have always been.

This was reinforced to me only a few years ago in 2000 when I went and did some shooting training off-duty with some off-duty CHPs from the IE area. It was conducted by another CHP guy. They criticized, roundly, my modified weaver stance, and insited on the benefits of engaging active-shooter targets from the isoceles stance. AND this guy was a recongized agency trainer, and none of the other traffic gurus questioned him.

I was dumbfounded to say the least.

And I have yet to be convinced of the benefits of pulling over multiple vehicles at one time. Disaster waiting to happen, IMHO.

YMMV,

EDJ


Come visit the LAXPD range- 7171 W. imperial hwy,L.A.-CHP "south div" and sometimes "West div" shoot there for periodic qualifications- I've seen alot of BAD shooting that even my Dept wouldn't allow-but then again-the Dept range is where you correct your shooting "problems".you probably ran into what I called a "Traditionalist" -we had a Vet Sgt who ran our range for yrs who swore by revolvers ONLY and some of his tactics were a bit "dated",so we were manily trained by the newer range masters who emphasize more tactical shooting(frangible rds on pop up targets, moving targets,tactical short barrel shotgun/pistol team movements and shooting, M-4 carbine,and psitol team shooting,low lite laser point shooting,etc) over typical stand and face the target,30 rd courses.I haven't checked out their gear recently,but seems that some CHP officers are still carrying the .40 cal S&W- a gun that many complained about-thought they were changing to the Sig or GLOCK.

[SgtCHP]

I haven't checked out their gear recently,but seems that some CHP officers are still carrying the .40 cal S&W- a gun that many complained about-thought they were changing to the Sig or GLOCK.


Here is the information about the CHP service weapons:

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/pistols.html