Sergeant Omar Watson
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Sergeant Omar Watson by Sergeant Angela Ditzenberger Omar Watson was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His father was an X-ray Technician in the Air Force, and moved the family to San Antonio, Texas, where Omar spent most of his childhood. As a young boy, Omar always envisioned he would do something great with his life. He thought he would somehow be in the limelight. After moving to California, he embarked on his future, which would lead him to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). After graduating from Atwater High School in Atwater, California, and attending Modesto Junior College, Omar was anxious to get involved in something exciting. He became the director of a boys/mens competitive gymnastics team. He also taught at Turlock Academy of Gymnastics, Atwater Gymnastics, and Madera Gymnastics. He had the pleasure of coaching the Turlock Academy team members to state and national competitions where they ranked number one for four consecutive years. Still searching for adventure in his life, Omar also took on dancing and professional modeling. Omar graduated from the CHP Academy in 1995 and was assigned to the San Jose Area office. He quickly adapted to the multicultural, exciting Bay Area lifestyle. After being on the job for two years, he decided to take on the challenge to become a motorcycle officer. Without any experience riding a motorcycle, he took an administrative position and practiced riding relentlessly for three weeks before attending the Academy for training. Omar passed with flying colors on his first attempt! He later transferred to the Redwood City Area office and was very proud to receive the CHP 1999 Disabled Awareness Award for his commitment to the Sunburst Project, a program which assists children, ages six through sixteen years old, to cope with mental and physical disabilities as a result of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by HIV retroviruses. In 2001, Omar promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was assigned to San Jose Area office. He then transferred to the Academy in West Sacramento and was the first African American to supervise the CHP Academy's Physical Training Staff. He is now assigned to Central Los Angeles as a field sergeant. Omar has managed to accomplish many of his dreams before the age of 30! Who knows what the future will hold for him? He said, "I am one of the fortunate people who can say that I truly do enjoy my work. It is different and challenging on a daily basis. I'm looking forward to great things happening in my career!" 
For additional information and applications, contact the CHP at: 1-888-4A CHP JOB (1-888-422-4756) TT/TDD EOE/ADA or by e-mail
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Careers to Watch
Though he found dancing and modeling fun, he still felt as if something was missing. He wanted more of a challenge in his career. He had family members that were enjoying success with the Department of Corrections, but he grew up watching the television series, "CHiPS," and always dreamed of some day riding motorcycles for the CHP. One day he happened to see an ad in the newspaper saying the CHP was hiring, and he decided to look no further. He applied right away!
Omar said, "The organizing and participating in the various fund-raisers is the easy part ... The difficulty is watching the debilitation brought on the by the disease and the decline of their motor skills and mobility."