California Highway Patrol Employee Reviews

Dispatchers work 12 hour shifts, one must have self-command, dispatchers are team players and working with the public is very rewarding, OFFICER SAFETY is the most important

Pros

Benifits

Cons

long hours

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Second best job I ever had. First being the Army.

Officer (Former Employee) - Hayward, Stockton, Woodland - March 4, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?Helping others; medical benefits What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Large offices have a plethora of personalities. Which sometimes collide.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Refer to the most stressful part….What is a typical day like for you at the company?Half hour briefing followed by writing tickets and investigating collisions. Graveyard is same but with drunk drivers.

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California Highway Patrol insights

Based on 57 survey responses

What people like

Inclusive work environment
Ability to learn new things
Clear sense of purpose

The career I never imagined!

Public Safety Dispatcher (Former Employee) - Vallejo, CA 94591 - February 17, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?The people, the opportunities, the feeling of helping others when they most need it, very rewarding.What is the most stressful part about working at the company?The nature of the calls and situations you deal with, loss of life.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Very structured, family orientated with an emphasis in excellency.

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Best job I've ever had.

Motor Carrier Specialist I (Former Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - February 15, 2023

If it weren't for the lack of compensation, I would of remained working for the Department. Motor Carrier Specialists are underpaid compared to Federal Investigators that perform similar tasks.

Pros

Too many to list

Cons

Salary.

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Not a place to grow

Office Assistant (Typing) (Former Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - February 6, 2023

My time spent was short due to lack of growth. I personally felt micromanaged as well as picked on for being the most recently hired person at my specific location. Benefits take forever to kick in and you can only choose the cheapest one they force you into. I wouldn't go back to work for them.

Cons

healthcare, low wages, poor management

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Great pay and benefits but no work life balance

Officer (Former Employee) - Bakersfield, CA - January 25, 2023

The job provides great pay and benefits but it is very demanding. It invades every facet of your life. From court outside your regular hours to studying reports on your own time. The job is very stressful.

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Wonderful organization, great opportunities

Public Safety Dispatcher (Current Employee) - Sacramento, CA - January 9, 2023

Can work anywhere in the state. Great training, benefits, retirement and career opportunities. So many different types of jobs available as long as you don't mind relocating or working around Sacramento.

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Productive and fun workplace

Office Technician (Typing) (Current Employee) - Sacramento, CA - October 20, 2022

A great, family environment and everyone looks out for one another. Everyone works as a team. The workload can be demanding and persistent at times, but the work atmosphere helps to get through it.

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Good pay

Officer (Former Employee) - Southern California - July 21, 2022

I unfortunately retired on job related disability several years ago. Having said that the pension and healthcare benefits that come with the job are like none other that you can get in private sector. Stressful job but has plenty of reward and excitement.

Pros

No day is the same

Cons

Dangerous and tough on mental health

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Great place to work and gain experience

Motor Carrier Specialist (Former Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - July 11, 2022

I loved my time with the Highway Patrol (12 years). Management varies by office but as long as you do you job you have nothing to worrie about. Benefits are amazing, the people are amazing and you definitely become family with the people you work with uniform amd non uniform. My only complain is the pay scale if you are not an officer. It is not even close to being competitive to the private sector or other agencies. Other municipalities offer better pay scales especially if you live in a metropolitan area where it isn't cheap. The only reason I left was the pay. I couldn't support a new family on a salary 30% behind industry base pay.

Pros

Benefits and work culture

Cons

Pay

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Great place to work!

Communications Manager (Former Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - June 30, 2022

Fulfilling and rewarding career! Working with great people who share a vision to help others and make a positive difference. Advancement opportunities exist and hard work is acknowledged. Great benefits and retirement system.

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A little hectic but a good place to work

Public Safety Dispatcher (Former Employee) - Vallejo, CA - February 21, 2022

I started in dispatch which is not imo a job for anyone with younger kids due to the hours, schedule changes and mandatory overtime. It's also not good for people who don't perform well under pressure. But all in all, it's a great place to work

Pros

Stable, pay, exciting

Cons

Shift work, management isn't always helpful. Cliques

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Meaningful, job. Best career ever. Fun and exciting

Commander (Current Employee) - Inland Empire, CA - February 12, 2022

Best career ever. Great Job security, benefits, salary, ability to transfer Locations, advancement available. Clear cut rules and policies. Overtime available.

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Very high levels of stress

Public Safety Dispatcher (Former Employee) - Fresno, CA - January 11, 2022

excellent management team however the training academy did not prepare me well enough for live call training at my center. This job was not for me and I ended up resigning.

Pros

State job with many employee resources and lots of overtime

Cons

High stress and can cause anxiety

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Professional workplaced with great management

Officer / Public Safety Dispatcher (Former Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - December 5, 2021

Worked as an officer and public safety dispatcher..most personnel were very polite and professional..lots of overtime available..very good people to work with....overall was a great place to work...only downfall was southern california traffic..senior officers and upper echelon staff were great and personable...easy to work with and very supportive ....

Pros

Overtime available

Cons

Minor issues of favoritism

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Best agency to get your training from

Officer (Former Employee) - California - November 21, 2021

Every office is different so it’s hard to give an overall score. The academy prepares as better than most and as long as you focus and pay attention, you’ll do fine.

Pros

Pay, benefits, schedule

Cons

The culture is not for everyone

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The pay

Patrol Officer (Former Employee) - California - August 21, 2021

Bad management. Work most holidays. Pay is excellent. Dealing with the public on a daily basis and the majority of your public contacts are negative due to people always breaking the law. Not all bad though. Some of the Public still let you know they appreciate you and the stressful job you have to do day in and day out.

Pros

The pay

Cons

Schedule/stress/poor leadership

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Quality of life at home is excellent.

Class A CDL Driver (Current Employee) - West Sacramento, CA - July 5, 2021

Great job security, excellent benefits and great hours. Sometimes job is too slow. Sometimes there's lack of communication . Slow process with paper work and approvals.

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Always severly judged

Officer (Former Employee) - Sacramento, CA - April 1, 2021

Job pays very well with great benefits. But, it can absolutely consume your life. Most Officers lose their marriages and almost all of their friends. Lots of policy to protect you and keep you safe, but managers seem to take the most far-off interpretation to find field officers at fault. Then again, there are some absolutely phenomenal Sergeants and management as well. Have a plan for your career and stay focused.

Pros

Benefits

Cons

No life to work balance and constant severe judgements.

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The job is a secure one once you have mastered the requirements. The bad is there is lots of mandatory overtime.

Public Safety Dispatcher (Former Employee) - Vallejo, CA - March 28, 2021

Training is minimal prior to being released to work on your own. The job is a good job once you have earned it. You never run out of work. Lots of overtime.

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Great people to work with, Like a family

Patrol Officer (Former Employee) - Sacramento, CA - February 22, 2021

Can be tough with shift work , and can be dangerous but great people to work with. I wasn't really impressed with management. Most of them only seemed interested in their next promotion and not in backing their subordinates, but the field troops are hard working people.

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