Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has congratulated 121 new California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers who are set to be sworn in today at a ceremony in West Sacramento. This event marks the culmination of a recruitment campaign initiated in 2022 aimed at hiring 1,000 new officers. The graduating class is the largest for CHP in two years.

"Two years ago, we set an ambitious goal of recruiting 1,000 new CHP officers – and today, with this class, we have officially surpassed that goal," said Governor Newsom. He emphasized that the goal was about more than just numbers but about public service and community safety. "Each officer is the very manifestation of public service, of peacekeeping."

CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee also expressed satisfaction with the achievement: "Today marks a significant step forward for our agency and all of our communities." He noted that surpassing the recruitment target brings committed officers ready to address California's evolving needs.

The recruitment drive saw significant interest, with over 11,700 applications received in early 2024 alone—a 58% increase compared to 2022. This effort is part of broader state initiatives to enhance public safety and combat crime through increased resources and personnel since 2019.

The state has made notable investments as part of its Real Public Safety Plan announced by Governor Newsom in 2023. These include combating organized retail crime with record funding and expanding operations across California.

Individuals interested in joining the CHP can attend an upcoming hiring seminar on Tuesday, November 26.