After completing 1,200 hours of intensive training over 26 weeks
By Tami Grimes, PIO, CHP
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) proudly introduced 102 of the state’s newest officers during a swearing-in ceremony, on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento. In a continued effort to fill vacant officer positions, these men and women hail from communities throughout California, as well as Colorado and Oregon.
“Having successfully completed the last 26 weeks of intensive training, the CHP is pleased to welcome these new officers to the CHP family. They are beginning a career of service and I trust they will do everything they can to take care of their communities,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Every corner of the State deserves to have the best trained and prepared personnel, and I am confident these new officers will be able to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security possible.”
Before offering his prepared remarks, Duryee said to the audience of the new officers’ family members and friends, “Alright, listen. I was a little disappointed to that approach. Not from the cadets, from the crowd. You all gotta get a little fired up. This is a celebration.”
“I don’t know what they’ve told you how this place is,” he continued with a smile. “But this is a celebration, today. So, as we celebrate them let’s get a little rowdy. Yeah?” to which the audience applauded and cheered in response.
While at the CHP Academy, cadets receive over 1,200 hours of training and start with subjects including nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity. Additionally, cadets receive instruction on mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques. Training also covers vehicle patrol, crash investigation, first aid, and the apprehension of suspected violators, including those who drive under the influence. Cadets also receive training in traffic control, report writing, recovery of stolen vehicles, assisting the motoring public, issuing citations, emergency scene management, and various codes, including the California Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and Health and Safety Code.
The Code of Honor was administered by Duryee and repeated by the cadets as follows: “I, a member of the California Highway Patrol, subscribe in word and deed to the following; To serve the United States of America and the State of California honestly, and conscientiously; and fulfill my oath as a soldier of the law; to uphold and maintain the honor and integrity of the California Highway Patrol; Be loyal to my fellow officers; respect and obey my seniors in rank; and enforce the law without fear, favor or discrimination; to assist those in peril or distress and if necessary lay down my life rather than swerve from the path of duty; my person conduct shall at all times be above reproach; and I will never knowingly commit any act that will in any way bring discredit upon the California Highway Patrol or any member thereof; to all of this I do solemnly pledge my sacred honor as an officer with the California Highway Patrol.”
The graduation concludes the new officers’ stay at the Academy prior to their reporting to one of the 102 CHP Area offices throughout the state on July 22. (View ceremony video and highlight video)
The CHP continues the search for service-minded individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement in support of its ongoing, multiyear recruitment campaign to hire 1,000 officers. In 2023, the CHP added 407 officers to its ranks. With the swearing-in, an additional 409 officers have been sworn in this year and there are still two more cadet classes scheduled to complete the Academy before the end of 2024.
For more information about a life-changing career with the CHP, visit our website at http://chp.ca.gov.
The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
