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Technology & the CHP

TECHNOLOGY

From the "Red Flag" to the Mobile Digital Computer

The California Highway Patrol's (CHP) tenure has spanned 75 years. The first officers worked a six-day workweek, and received no overtime pay. They also supplied their own personal equipment; including uniforms and sidearms. Over the past 75 years, the CHP has grown in size and responsibility. As the Department's responsibilities have developed, so too has the equipment and technology used to provide safety and service to the citizens of California.

In 1929, the CHP was 280 officers strong, including 80 patrol vehicles and 225 motorcycles. Mobile communication was nearly nonexistent. Officers on patrol were required to call their respective offices from public telephones to receive messages. While on patrol, officers utilized passing motorists to relay messages when necessary. It was not until 1934 that the "red flag" communication system was developed. This system required local merchants to place a red flag outside their establishments indicating that a detail was pending and the patrol officer needed to contact his office.

KAPA, mobile communication system, was created in 1935 as the Department's first law enforcement radio station. KAPA was housed in a mobile trailer in order to facilitate its movement throughout the state. The first stationary transmitter was established in Grass Valley the following year. Mr. Earl McBoyle, President of the Idaho and Maryland Mining Corporation, donated the necessary funds. An 80 foot antenna pole was also donated. A radio technician was hired to begin constructing experimental radio receivers for the motorcycle fleet.

The year 1937 marked the first CHP AM radio transmitter for Sacramento, KADJ. The following year the first motorcycle radio receiver was purchased from RCA. In 1939, yet another leap was made for CHP communication, 500-watt transmitters were installed in four Los Angeles area offices.

In 30 years, the Department grew to a uniform strength of 2,590. In the sixties, the CHP radio system expanded from one statewide frequency, the blue channel, to three frequencies, the blue, red, and green. This upgrade was instrumental in reducing interference between stations.

The year 1977 was a milestone year for the Department's communication system. A federal grant supplied the CHP with 950 forty-channel citizen's band (CB) radios for use in a two year study of their effectiveness in improving communications with motorists and expediting aid in emergencies. At this time, Motorola took over the CHP radio contract from General Electric. This company supplied the Department with radios that allowed officers in patrol vehicles to hear the communications of the dispatch center as well as officers on nearby patrol. These radios were also equipped with handheld microphones allowing officers to talk to dispatch or another patrol unit depending on how the button was pressed.

During the 1980's, officers were given handheld radios, called extenders, for use while away from their vehicles. In order to use these extenders, patrol units were outfitted with repeater systems. Essentially, the extender would use the patrol unit's radio system to amplify its signal. Extenders allowed officers to stay in contact with dispatch centers without being in or directly next to their units. Extenders have greatly improved officer safety. Officer safety and safety for the public can many times be the catalyst behind improved technology.

In the latter part of the 20th century, the CHP began to add Mobile Digital Computer (MDC) systems to patrol vehicles. These MDCs are laptop computers that are meant to augment the use of the radio system. On busy days when radio "traffic" is high, officers can acquire the same information via the laptop computer as they can when speaking directly to dispatch. MDCs provide officers with another avenue to communicate information. In addition, the computers provide officers with a means to complete reports while staying in the field available for service.

The CHP will continue to advance technologically to meet the growing challenges facing today's law enforcement community. Whenever called upon, the California Highway Patrol will provide the highest level of service the citizens of this great state have grown to expect.


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