Back in the mid-80s, I was in my mid to late ’20s and worked for Novato Police Department, a department of about 70 sworn officers at the time. I worked patrol, was a motorcycle officer, a school resource officer, and a detective. I digress.
When I was a motorcycle traffic officer, I loved all things traffic; I issued traffic citations, did commercial vehicle enforcement, investigated traffic collisions and non-traffic accidents. The Police Department was great at sending me to training. I was an advanced accident investigator, just short of a reconstructionist. I taught basic accident investigation at the police academy and community college.
It only made sense that I should be working for CHP as the traffic officer gig at Novato Police Department only lasts four years, and then you have to rotate back to patrol. Mine ended up being seven years.
I obtained an application to be a CHP Traffic Officer and carefully filled it out, crossing all the T’s, dotting all the I’s, and submitted it. I received a letter back with my application advising me that they were not accepting my application because I was a white male. WTH? The letter explained that they would only accept applications from and hire women and minorities for the next couple of years. Well, that sucked.
I researched and found out that the CHP used to have a minimum height requirement of 5′-6″. A discrimination lawsuit (or something like that) had been filed, and the plaintiffs won. So there was a mandate to hire only women and minorities or not to hire white males. Essentially, from my perspective, they changed from one discrimination to another. What’s the saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right?” I was invited to apply when the mandate was lifted…in a couple of years.
Still a municipal traffic officer…the mandate lifted. I filled out a nice fresh new application and submitted it. They sent it back. The letter advised me that I did not meet qualifications; I’m thinking, “How did they already find out about my band camp incident?” Reading further in the letter, I discovered I was too tall. I am 6′-7,” and the maximum height limit is 6′-6″. A-holes! I had some CHP friends who suggested I list myself as 6′-6″ and slouch when they do the physical. The only problem with that idea is I won’t lie, not to mention my driver’s license lists me as 6′-7,” as well as my military records, and police department application (see my hiring part of this blog).
Later, when I was 36, another group had filed a discrimination suit for the upper height limit, and they dropped the maximum height limit. Hallelujah! I got another application, and right there, in the requirements, it stated…maximum of 35 years of age (as of Application Close Date in most current exam cycle). F’ers.
This is all a true story, other than the band camp thing. I’ve never gone to band camp, I swear!
If you are interested in becoming a CHP Officer here is a quick link for you:
Scattered Thought 