Greenlight 1:64 1993 Jeep Cherokee: California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a state law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and are also known as the state police. They have jurisdiction statewide and can enforce law enforcement powers anywhere within the state. California Highway Patrol can assist local and county agencies and can patrol major city streets along with local and county law enforcement, state and interstate highways and are primary law enforcement in rural parts of the state.

The California State Legislature originally established the California Highway Patrol as a branch of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Public Works, with legislation signed by Governor C. C. Young on August 14, 1929. It was subsequently established as a separate department with legislation signed by Governor Earl Warren in 1947. The CHP gradually assumed increased responsibility beyond the enforcement of the State Vehicle Act and eventually merged with the smaller California State Police in 1995. It is currently organized as part of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA).

In addition to its highway patrol duties, the CHP also provides other services including protecting state buildings and facilities (most notably the California State Capitol) and guarding state officials. The CHP also works with municipal and federal law enforcement agencies, providing assistance in investigations, patrol and other aspects of law enforcement.

The California Highway Patrol is the largest state police agency in the United States, with 11,000 employees, over 7,600 of whom are sworn officers, according to a recent study in December 2019.

The CHP gained international recognition in the late 1970s - early 1980's through the broadcast of the CHiPs TV series which chronicled the fictional adventures of two CHP motorcycle officers.