The **California Highway Patrol (CHP)** is the nation's largest state police agency, dedicated to delivering the highest level of **Safety, Service, and Security** through traffic management, law enforcement, and emergency response across California's vast highway network.[3][5][7] Established on August 14, 1929, by legislative act, the CHP originated to enforce uniform traffic laws on state and county highways amid booming automobile use, initially as part of the Department of Motor Vehicles before becoming an independent entity in 1947.[1][3][6] From a force of 730 officers in its first decade, it evolved post-World War II into a multifaceted department, absorbing responsibilities like truck inspections, air operations with airplanes and helicopters, vehicle theft prevention, and—following the 1995 merger with the California State Police—protection of state property, employees, and dignitaries including the Governor.[1][4] Key achievements include pioneering traffic safety techniques, reducing collision and fatality rates via targeted programs, and operating the world-renowned CHP Academy in West Sacramento, which trains cadets in advanced skills like accident reconstruction, tactical operations, EMT services, and emergency vehicle handling—also serving external agencies.[1][7] Specialized units, such as cliff rescue teams, dignitary protection, mounted patrols for crowd control, and the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), underscore its paramilitary structure and versatility in handling fatal crashes, disasters, and complex events without deferring to locals.[4] Today, under Commissioner Sean Duryee (appointed 2023), the CHP boasts nearly **11,000 employees**, a **$3.2 billion budget**, and patrols ~380,000 lane miles via eight geographical divisions from Sacramento headquarters, with over 125 stations.[2][5] Officers, uniformed in tan or blue BDUs, manage freeways, assist motorists, enforce statewide laws (primarily Vehicle Code), and leverage tec