California celebrates 129 new CHP officers ready to protect and serve the Golden State

What you need to know: California Highway Patrol today graduated 129 cadets from the CHP Academy, marking the start of their service as officers protecting communities across California.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Newsom today celebrates the graduation of 129 cadets from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, who have completed six months of training to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to best serve throughout the state. As the graduates cross the stage, California remains committed to investing in public safety and providing service to all Californians.

I congratulate all of today's graduates who are joining a community, team and family that continues to serve and protect Californians. I'm grateful for your dedication, your courage, and your willingness to answer the call to help and serve our state.

Governor Gavin Newsom

"These new officers represent the future of public safety in California," said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. "The badge they were given is on loan from the people of this state, and every day they must earn the right to wear it through professionalism, ethical conduct and accountability to the public they serve."

During six months of academy training, cadets completed intensive instruction in traffic enforcement, crash investigation, defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, emergency vehicle operations, and community policing. The curriculum also emphasized legal authority, ethical decision-making, effective communication, and cultural awareness to prepare officers for the complex demands of modern policing.

CHP cadets on their 5-mile run earlier this week as one of the last parts of their training

A growing force protecting Californians

The CHP's recruitment initiatives over the past few years - including the launch in 2022 of the statewide "Join the CHP 1000" campaign and the "Cadets" web series - continue to drive strong interest in law enforcement careers.

Including today's newly sworn members, the CHP has brought on more than 2,400 officers from January 2022 through February 2026

From 2022 to 2025, applications increased by more than 94%.

2022: 16,077 applications

2023: 19,590 applications

2024: 25,477 applications

2025: 31,250 applications

CHP in action

As part of CHP's broader efforts, working alongside local leaders, crime suppression teams are saturating high-crime areas, holding repeat offenders accountable, and taking weapons and narcotics off the streets.

This past week, the Governor highlighted the efforts of CHP crime suppression teams in San Diego, marking a major win for public safety in communities across the state. These collaborative regional crime suppression teams have made 11,700 arrests, recovered more than 6,200 stolen vehicles and seized nearly 500 illicit firearms since regional efforts began in 2024.

Join the CHP today

The CHP continues to seek motivated individuals interested in a challenging and rewarding career in public service, offering opportunities to serve communities across the state while pursuing a wide range of specialized assignments. A career with the CHP offers comprehensive training, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

To learn more about joining the CHP, please visit here to learn more about what the CHP has to offer.