129 New CHP Officers Graduate, Ready to Protect California

Governor Newsom celebrates the latest class of cadets joining the California Highway Patrol.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Governor Newsom today celebrated the graduation of 129 new cadets from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, who have completed six months of intensive training to serve and protect communities across California. The new officers represent the future of public safety in the state, with CHP's recruitment efforts driving strong interest in law enforcement careers in recent years.

Why it matters

The CHP plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety throughout California, and the addition of these 129 new officers will bolster the agency's ability to respond to a variety of law enforcement needs, from traffic enforcement to crime suppression. The graduation also highlights the state's ongoing commitment to investing in public safety and providing high-quality training for those who serve.

The details

During their six months of academy training, the new CHP officers completed instruction in areas such as traffic enforcement, crash investigation, defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, emergency vehicle operations, and community policing. The curriculum also emphasized legal authority, ethical decision-making, effective communication, and cultural awareness to prepare the officers for the complex demands of modern policing.

  • The CHP Academy graduation ceremony took place on February 7, 2026.
  • From 2022 to 2025, CHP applications increased by more than 94%, from 16,077 in 2022 to 31,250 in 2025.

The players

Governor Newsom

The Governor of California who celebrated the graduation of the new CHP officers.

Sean Duryee

The Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol.

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What they’re saying

“These new officers represent the future of public safety in California. The badge they were given is on loan from the people of this state, and every day they must earn the right to wear it through professionalism, ethical conduct and accountability to the public they serve.”

— Sean Duryee, CHP Commissioner

What’s next

The new CHP officers will now be deployed across the state to serve and protect communities, with a focus on areas with high crime rates through collaborative regional crime suppression teams.

The takeaway

The graduation of these 129 new CHP officers represents California's ongoing commitment to public safety and the continued efforts to attract and train highly qualified law enforcement personnel to serve the diverse communities across the state.