How to Get a Job with the California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol has been hiring new recruits on a continual basis since 2007. The CHP's primary duty is traffic and road safety on California's highways and freeways, but the CHP also now sometimes participates in criminal investigations and provides security to state and Federal buildings in California. Those expecting a life similar to the show CHiPs may want to check in with reality first, as a great deal of Highway Patrol Officer time is spent clearing up wrecks, dead animals and general debris, as well as writing traffic collision reports.

The application process generally takes between six to twelve months from the time of initial application to hiring, but it can sometimes be shorter for unusually qualified applicants (such as those with extensive and recent military service in related fields.) The initial application can be had from any CHP office, or you can download one online from their website, but it must be printed and brought to a CHP office to be submitted, they do not presently have an application that you can fill out and submit online.

After applying, if the CHP decides you are qualified and wants to give you further consideration, the next step is a QAP (Qualifications Appraisal Panel) Interview, which generally takes 15 to 30 minutes and takes place with a panel of CHP officials who make decisions in the hiring process. The QAP interview is mostly to clarify details of former jobs or related experience. Also under examination are temperament and attitude, communications ability, and personal appearance.

CHP applicants will also face several other examinations at some point. There is a written examination called the CHP, which has a name that is a little misleading, because it focuses on English language ability and not law enforcement procedure or history. Applicants are expected to display an 11th or 12th grade proficiency in English comprehension and writing. Another examination is the Physical Ability Test, or PAT. This is a general test of strength, speed and cardiovascular fitness. There are five components - a 100 yard sprint in 20 seconds or less, upper body strength, trunk strength, side step (a balance and coordination test), and a 500 yard run in two minutes or less. In addition there is a vision test where participants must display 20/20 visual acuity in both eyes, or 20/40 corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contacts. Finally, there is a psychological evaluation.

There are several ways applicants can prepare to give themselves an edge in these examinations. If your local police department offers a Citizen's Academy, this is a good thing to attend prior to submitting your initial application. Also, see if you can participate in a ride-along with a local police officer. This is often offered to those who are serious about applying for police work, contact your local police department for further details.

Applicants should also be prepared to move. Most new hires are assigned to the San Francisco Bay area or in or around Los Angeles, but department needs can potentially send you anywhere in the state. Living near San Francisco or L.A. already is not a guarantee that you will remain there, so all applicants should be ready to uproot if need be.

Applicants who pass all the needed tests and are hired by the department will then attend the Police Academy, which is something like military boot camp. Academy lasts nearly six months and the training is paid and full-time, and you will reside on site in a dormitory (which is subject to regular inspections just like military basic training.)

Good luck in pursuing your future career! You can thank me by not pulling me over when you graduate.