California Highway Patrol: You Can’t Outrun the Radio

The CHP: Powerful Cars Over the Years

In this video, Jay Leno shows cars that were in the fleet in the last 45 years. He also shows us the Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle, which is replacing the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which went out of production in 2011.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) started in 1929 as a division of the state Department of Motor Vehicles. It became a separate department in 1947. Even though it was restricted to enforcing the rules of the road back then, it became the second most well-known state law enforcement agency after the Texas Rangers. CHPs were famous for their fast cars and motorcycles.

People could outrun CHP vehicles, but in 1941 speeders learned they could not outrun CHP radios. That’s when California Highway Patrol cars were equipped with 2-way radios, and officers could call ahead for support from fellow officers.

Expanding Role of the CHP

The California Highway Patrol isn’t what it used to be, however. In 1995 the role of the CHP expanded beyond enforcing the State Vehicle Act. That year the agency absorbed the California State Police, so now CHPs handle security at the Capitol, courts, and places like unemployment offices scattered around the state.

They have a narcotics division and SWAT teams. They also serve tax seizure and arrest warrants for the Franchise Tax Board. So, you may see CHP officers doing all kinds of law enforcement work today.

My father C.A. Hughes, CHP Patrolman circa 1953

Back in the day, the California Highway Patrol was known as the CHP as I have designated it. At some point, some people started inserting an “i,” and they started becoming known as “CHiPs.” That was probably the invention of a Hollywood press agent, as I note below.

Why Have CHP’s Been Such a Popular Law Enforcement Agency?

One reason is that Hollywood gave them plenty of visibility. One of the earliest TV series was “Highway Patrol” starring the gruff, no-nonsense Broderick Crawford. The show ran from 1955 to 1959. You can always count on a lot of radio chatter in these shows. The cars you see in the series are the ones you want now as project cars.

If you’ve ever watched any of these old “Highway Patrol” shows, you’ll notice they are dedicated to patrolling officers everywhere. The show does not pretend to be the California Highway Patrol. Nevertheless, disclaimers aside, everything about the show has the California Highway Patrol imprint on it.

Bonus Video 1 – “Highway Patrol”

This bonus video is a full-length episode from 1955. It is particularly enjoyable because it features a young Clint Eastwood playing a “rod-hopping ‘sickle’ hound.”

Bonus Video 2 – “CHiPs”

The focus shifted to CHP motorcycle officers in the CHiPs TV show, which ran from 1977-1983. It starred Eric Estrada and Larry Wilcox. It had reality-based storylines laced with corny humor. Many people loved the show, and Erik Estrada was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1980.

One of the things that interest me is the name of the show. My own father was a CHP officer, and no one ever used “CHiPs” in the early days. After 1977, “CHiPs” came into popular usage to identify the law enforcement agency. This bonus video is a clip of the show’s high-energy introduction. 

Bonus Video 3 – “Highway Patrol Meets CHiPs”

This final Bonus Video clip is rather cool. In it, Ponch and Jon from CHiPs do a traffic stop, and the driver is none other than Broderick Crawford from “Highway Patrol.” The boys give a nod to both their California Highway Patrol and Hollywood heritage.