CHP Field Operations
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Among its many responsibilities, the Office of Air Operations is charged with administering the aviation program budget, formulating departmental policy relative to air operations, coordinating the aviation safety program, conducting initial and recurrent pilot and flight officer testing, coordinating departmental paramedic training, determining departmental aircraft specifications, conducting departmental aircraft accident/incident investigations, and performing liaison duties with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Office of Air Operations programs include:
- Aviation Safety Program
Coordinates and oversees all aspects of safety. - Paramedic Program
Coordinates Advanced Life Support within the Department. - Pilot Testing Program
Responsible for administering tests to eligible candidates within the Department. - Peace Officers Standards and Training Air Crew Course
Responsible for coordinating basic flight crew training for CHP and allied agencies. - Aircraft Parts Purchasing Program
Oversees the purchasing of parts for departmental aircraft. - Aircraft Maintenance Program
Ensures that all maintenance performed on departmental aircraft complies with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.
The STTAC is a partnership of the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Justice, and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. Located in Sacramento, this multi-agency state fusion center was created for the purpose of terrorism/criminal intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination. The plan to detect, deter, and prevent terrorism in California is based upon federal, state, and local law enforcement and public safety partnerships with direct connections to the national terrorism intelligence agencies and resources. The STTAC works in conjunction with four Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Centers.
Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Centers (RTTAC)
There are four RTTAC fusion centers located within California- Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Their areas of responsibility mirror those of the four FBI Field Offices within the state, minimizing reporting conflicts, providing statewide coverage and facilitating coordination with the FBI. The RTTACs are managed and staffed by local law enforcement, fire service, and other public safety agencies and maintain close, cooperative, coordinated, and mutually supportive working relationships with each other, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the State Terrorism Threat Assessment Center.
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)
The CHP has officers assigned to the JTTF within the FBI's Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego Field Offices. These officers are assigned to international terrorism, domestic terrorism, or operational threat squads that triage tips and leads from law enforcement contact or citizen complaints. The JTTF is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers for the purpose of identifying and disrupting potential terrorist plots by individuals or terror cells and sharing that information with law enforcement and intelligence partners.
Capitol Protection Section(CPS) is the largest of the three commands in PSD. CPS's primary mission is to provide police and safety services to the occupants and visitors of the State Capitol Building and grounds. In addition to daily Capitol Operations, CPS special operations include the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Mounted and Bicycle Patrol Programs, and the Hazardous Device Detail (HDD).
As part of their daily operations, CPS personnel deploy to the State Capitol Building twenty-four hours a day; guarding entry doors, monitoring video surveillance systems, and patrolling the interior and exterior of the building. CPS is also responsible for providing law enforcement services to over 40,000 state employees and 400 state buildings in the Sacramento area. CPS law enforcement responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Patrolling by car, foot, horseback, and bicycle.
- Responding to and investigating crimes against state employees and property within CPS jurisdiction.
- Providing crowd control and order during large and/or high profile demonstrations, rallies, and other events.
- Conducting community oriented policing efforts cooperatively in and around state facilities.
The SWAT team resolves or mitigates high-risk or potentially hazardous incidents occurring at state facilities; serves as a rapid deployment force and provides counter-assault team support to the Dignitary Protection Section and the Governor's Protective Detail, as requested. The SWAT team also serves as a departmental resource for tactical training.
CPS is the Office of Primary Interest for the Mounted and Bicycle Patrol Units. Officers assigned to these programs patrol the State Capitol Building, as well as state facilities throughout the downtown area. CPS also has an active Crime Scene Investigation program.
The HDD consists of investigators with specialized skills and training in the detection, recognition, and disposal of explosive devices. With the assistance of explosives detection canines, HDD is the CHP's front line response to incidents at the State Capitol Building or state agencies that report suspected explosive hazardous devices.
Dignitary Protection Section (DPS) operates from two primary locations, Los Angeles and Sacramento.
DPS is responsible for protection of the Governor, and constitutional officers such as the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Insurance Commissioner. When directed by the Commissioner's Office, DPS provides protective services to other elected officials. DPS also provides, as directed, protective services to national and international dignitaries who are visiting California on official business. These services include, but are not limited to: the advance of sites and locations to be visited; the safe and secure transportation of the dignitary; the protection of the person while en route and/or at a designated site, and other services as required and needed.
Judicial Protection Section (JPS) operates from two primary locations, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as from six satellite offices located in San Diego; Riverside; Santa Ana; Fresno, San Jose, and Sacramento. JPS is responsible for the provision of protective services to members of the State Judiciary with offices located throughout the state, and includes both the California State Supreme Court and the various State Courts of Appeal. The services provided include, but are not limited to: bailiff duties; security of courtrooms, chambers, and other spaces of the courts; and physical security procedures for individual justices as required.