Captain Sharon Baker
Wife, Mother, California Highway Patrol Captain
Twenty-five years ago, Sharon envisioned herself as a social worker, perhaps a probation officer. While in college, Sharon realized the large case loads and bureaucratic processes would not enable her to change, help, or affect peoples lives as she wanted. Law school seemed a better choice.
She graduated from college at age 20 and needed a job to help finance her continued education. High expectations combined with no experience generated disappointing job offers. At that point, Sharons mother just happened to mention she heard an ad about the California Highway Patrol (CHP) hiring. Coincidentally, Sharon had seen Assistant Chief Bonnie Stanton (an officer at the time) driving across the San Francisco Bay Bridge one day and was very impressed to see a female officer. "She looked so impressive, I knew that could be me!", Sharon remembers. Although her familys reactions were mixed, they were supportive. The plan was to do the job for awhile until she saved enough for law school. She entered the Academy fully intending to join the CHP "for just a little while."
Sharon was impressed with the CHP Academy and how it challenged the cadets equally. Men and women from various backgrounds experienced the same struggles, doubts and work. As the intense training prepared her for the job, she also began to feel like she was part of a team, a family. For Sharon, the hard work and struggles were worth it. She says, "The job provides an excellent income, adventure, a sense of independence and many opportunities to help people. For me, law school quickly lost its allure." Fellow officers became friends and like a surrogate family. Years later, she met her husband, Sergeant Ron Baker, on the job. They now have two daughters, and with the various shift options they manage a normal family life. They can be there for their children before and after school, attend school functions and have family time together.
Sharon, now with the Department for over 20 years, enjoys her position as a Captain in Santa Fe Springs. She says she is just as enthusiastic about the job as she was when she decided to join the CHP for "just a little while." She says, "As long as I can still be there for my family, my plans are to keep going as far as this awesome career takes me." Sharon is an exceptional role model, and will no doubt achieve whatever she sets out to accomplish.
Join Us Today!!! 1-877-Women CHP or women@chp.ca.gov
For additional information and applications, contact the CHP at:
1-888-4A CHP JOB
(1-888-422-4756)
TT/TDD
1-800-735-2929
EOE/ADA
or by e-mail