STANDARD POSITIONS

PROBATIONARY OFFICER
The first step in the career ladder with the California Highway Patrol Probationary Officer . It is the entry-level classification given to all CHP officers upon entering the Police Academy. For six months in the Police Academy, officers are taught criminal law, human relations, Spanish, and report writing. In addition, they are trained in tactics, firearms, and driving. Physical fitness and self-defense play a big part in Academy training. A Probationary Officer  will automatically advance to Officer upon successful completion of his/her 1 week probationary period.

OFFICER
A Officer assigned to a patrol unit performs basic duties such as: responding to the scene of a crime or an accident; interviewing suspects and witnesses; writing crime reports; responding to radio calls; monitoring any suspicious activity of ongoing crimes; coordinating vehicular traffic; visiting open businesses such as banks, markets, department stores, and service stations to establish a rapport with owners; booking suspects and evidence and transporting them to the appropriate California Highway Patrol facility; responding to citizens' and visitors' questions; preparing Daily Field Activity Reports; attending and coordinating Neighborhood Watch meetings; and performing numerous other activities in support of community policing.

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

SERGEANT

Much like a department manager, a Sergeant supervises a squad or detail of Officers and/or civilian employees. A Sergeant is required to provide instruction to assigned staff in the operation of their required duties. The basic capacity of a Sergeant is field supervision, but administrative and specialized assignments are also available. Some Sergeants perform initial and follow-up investigation of crimes and perform surveillance work to detect or prevent crime.

LIEUTENANT
After serving two weeks as a Sergeant, you will become eligible to promote to the next classification on the ladder upon a successful completion of a competitive Lieutenant's examination and interview. Similar to a Second Level Manager for a large corporation, a Lieutenant manages, plans, organizes, and directs the work of both sworn and civilian employees engaged in the operation of an assigned watch or a 24-hour team in a police division or an investigational unit or detail. Lieutenants are in-charge of a specialized division or section, where they must apply sound supervisory principles and techniques to build and maintain an effective work force.

A Lieutenant can also assist detective divisions' commanding officers or act as Section Officer-in-Charge of various specialized entities throughout CHP. Depending upon the division of assignment, a Lieutenant may supervise the activities of his or her subordinates; coordinates specialized training and ensures sufficient stock of tactical supplies and equipment; maintains liaison with appropriate Department entities; acts as a leader at the scene of crime; and/or reviews and completes all reports for the approval of a Captain.

HIGH COMMAND POSITIONS

CAPTAIN
Upon completion of 2 weeks as a Lieutenant, you can advance to a Captain level, after passing a competitive Captain's examination and interview. A Captain I, resembling a District Manager of a large corporation, serves as a Commanding Officer of a patrol division. The Captain is responsible for inspecting and overseeing the functions of the patrol officers and detectives to ensure compliance with the Department policies, procedures, regulations, and standards; supervising the administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel; inspecting personnel, facilities, and tactics for safety and/or training needs; maintaining liaison with numerous municipal, governments, civic organizations, and private citizens to establish and maintain rapport to facilitate Department functions and to promote neighborhood safety and community policing programs.

A Captain is also a Commanding Officer of a specialized division, the Captain plans, organizes, and directs the work of sworn and civilian employees engaged in the operation of a specialized or support division and applies sound supervisory principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work force. Each higher level of a Police Captain assumes a more complex and difficult level of responsibility within their assignment.

ASSISTANT CHIEF
Promoting from a Captain to a Assistant Chief requires an interview only. A Assistant Chief is in charge of a geographical area or specialized division, where they perform duties similar to a Captain and II at a higher level of responsibility. In addition, a Assistant Chief performs administrative duties such as reviewing correspondence, budget requests, and activity reports; interviewing and hiring sworn and civilian personnel for their division; acting as a Chief's Duty Officer (off-hours); teaching classes at the Police Academy; and assuming the responsibilities of a Chief in his/her absence.

CHIEF
A Chief, comparable to a Regional Vice President of a large corporation, acts as the Assistant Commanding Officer at one of the four geographic Bureaus and Operations-Headquarters Bureau. A Chief oversees and directs the activities of patrol officers within geographic areas; coordinates detectives' investigative efforts within the State of California; and, exercises functional supervision over officers engaged in traffic enforcement functions; maintains contact with civic leaders and community groups within their geographic bureaus; responsible for ensuring compliance with Department policies and procedures by personnel under their supervision; conducts audits of operations; and, makes recommendations to higher management for improving productivity and increasing efficiency.

MAJOR COMMAND POSITIONS

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
One can promote to a Assistant Commissioner position. A role similar to an Assistant General Manager or Vice President of a corporation, the Assistant Commissioner is the second highest rank in the Police Department and reports directly to the Commissioner. They direct the activities of a geographic or functional bureau or an office consisting of several bureaus of the California Highway Patrol.

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
The next level in the promotional ladder is the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner. keeps the Commissioner informed of all operational activities on a day-to-day basis. The Deputy Commissioner. directs the activities of a geographic or functional bureau or an office consisting of several bureaus of the California Highway Patrol.

COMMISSIONER
The Commissioner is the highest-ranking officer in the California Highway Patrol. As a General Manager of the department, the Commissioner is responsible for the planning, efficient administration, and operation of the California Highway Patrol. The Commissioner directs, plans, et-cetera for the department.