Whats up guys,

I've always wanted to be a LEO, and I've always loved visiting California. So I was thinking of trying to get into the CHP...

Questions:

How hard is it to get accepted? And how long will it take?
Are any of you in here CHP? Any advice?
How is living in California(I'm interested in OC/SoCal area) on a day to day basis?

I looked at their website, and I meet the requirements(Except for age, but not for long). How many people are they looking to hire?

It doesn't say you need to be a California resident, but do I still need a Cali license?

Background info on me: I'm a 19 year old guy living in Long Island NY, majoring in criminal justice. Will graduate with an associates in summer or fall.

Any advice is appreciated,
thanks

 

I suggest getting a BA in criminal justice!

 

i went thru the process all the way to the interveiws. when i tried out it was a little faster cuz they where hurting for people. normal process from begining to academy can take up to a year ++. you have to really want it and it is stressful because of the time in between. the tests aren't eeasy,but aren't super hard. the first essay was easy for me, the physical wasn;t bad. the worst part is the psycological tests. they are mind numbing . the interveiw actually went well for me, they liked my military background. if you've done drugs don;t tell them haha. they'll tell you they don;t care, but will cut you at the interveiw. at that point you could be 6++ months in the process and been thru 3 tests. i ended up goin back in the navy since they accepted me back before the chp got back to me. the good thing is i am that far in the process for like 10 years i think it was. i just couldn't wait another half a year before i started making money. i came back in right where i left off rank wise, so it was like a 2 year vacation for me LOL... good luck . just start running and working out. and practice your spelling/grammar if you suck at it (i write alot better than i do online ) you don't have to be a journalist or anything,but they are looking at how well you will write reports ,and if you speak english. studiing up on cali law won't hurt, but they it's not 100% neccesary. you will be living in a bootcamp like enviroment during the week

 

hmm, I heard that if you've ever gotten a wreckless driving ticket, then forget it...I have, but mine was dropped in court.

Yeah I intend on getting a BA, but I'm not sure what other careers I can get with criminal justice.

familycar- thanks for the writeup, I dont mind the wait as long as i'm in

 

That's is a good start, majoring in criminal justice. My brother is an LAPD not CHP but he also majored in criminal justice.

Why don't you go to college here in Cali, Cal State Fullerton is in OC and has the program. If you can affort the standard of living in NY and Cali is easy.

 

I've thought long and hard about transferring over there....out of state tuition on top of rent.....not an easy move.

I think it may be easier for me to get my bachelor's over here, then start applying to places over there.

I'm willing to go through the stressful application period for CHP, I want in sooo bad.

 

This forum can help with your questions.

http://officer.com/

 

cool, very informative site thanks

 

i used to live with a cop, they always told me to get your BA in business and minor in admin of justice or criminal related area. that way if you get hurt you can still continue your life elsewhere. the process to get in can be long but payoff is great. good luck.

 

Even though it does help, it is entirely UNNECESSARY!

 

got my ba in cj from fullerton. Its a cake walk there. chp has a six month academy in sacramento.

 

just finish your BA where you live then move over. Alot of law enforcement say they start accepting you at at 20 1/2 but 90% of the time they want you to be around 23-25. Trust me, i know. :-(

 

^ it is true. I tried along time ago for my local police department which I htink is a great police department and even though I passed all of the tests both physical and mental with flying colors, they still turned me down.

I did admit that I hung out with friends that did drugs but never did them myself and that occasionally I raced my little Sentra, though. When I got the letter telling me of my removal from candidacy, I called one of the Lieutenant's and he told me that it was an issue of maturity and he encouraged me to try again when I was older. I am now 25 (I tried when I was 18). I am still thinking about doing it.

 

Ok, here is the real poop. I have gone through the process and separated due to injury.

Forget a criminal justice degree...go with english. 50% your job is writing and expressing yourself verbally. If you can't spell, construct a sentence will or speak in a clear and non-Don King like mannor, you are doomed. While a Crim. Jus. major helps, you write A LOT in law enforcement and need to convey your observations and facts well.

The application process is long. Each step takes about a month, then a month for the next step. Your background can take long if you have moved a lot or have a great deal of past addresses or roommates. THEY WILL CONTACT THEM ALL! Tell the truth. If you lie to get the job, how can you be a trusted officer. This job is all about integrity. If you don't have it, you will never get it.

The physical test is easy and most can pass it. However, if you will be going to any academy, start running, doing sit ups and push ups! It makes life a lot easier when you get there for PT.

The oral is where you can really put yourself ahead. Be open and honest. They have heard all the cookie cutter answers and hate that.
the psych. is just long and boring. No help there.

Lastly, be patient. If you test well and make it through everything, it usually takes about a year to get to the academy...sometimes a bit longer. If you do make it, study everything they give you well before you get there. You want to know the basic Penal and Vehicle codes well and your radio codes need to be down pat.

 

Cool, thanks for all the replies...it's hard to decide if it's right for me, since I have 0 first-hand experience in being a cop.