SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct 15 congratulated the 121 new California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers who will be sworn in at a graduation ceremony in West Sacramento following an intensive 26-week training. Today’s graduation marks the successful completion of the CHP’s campaign launched in 2022 to recruit 1,000 new officers.

“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. But I want to be clear: that goal has always been about more than just filling slots or hitting a number. Each officer is the very manifestation of public service, of peacekeeping. Every cadet graduating today felt a calling to do right by their community and to make the world safer. On behalf of the state and all who call California home, I want to thank each and every member of this graduating class,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

As part of California’s efforts to improve public safety, California funded a multiyear CHP recruitment campaign to fill 1,000 officer positions by hiring qualified individuals across the state. In June of 2022, the CHP embarked on a multiyear recruiting campaign and has seen an outpouring of interest in joining the ranks, receiving more than 11,700 cadet applications in the first six months of 2024 alone – a 58% increase from the same period in 2022.

California has additionally invested more resources and personnel since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

(Photo Source：The Governor Office Newsroom)