The California Highway Patrol (CHP) saw its portion of the state budget shrink from $3.3 billion in FY 2022-23 to $3.2 billion in FY 2023-24, or by about 3 percent. The trim was about $85.9 million. Despite that decrease, CHP got the funding it asked for on its own and in partnership with other state entities to further several important tech and innovation projects, and saw its positions rise from 11,236 to 11,252.
The monies received included:
- $849,000 from the General Fund for the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), which is part of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The CHP is one of several state government entities with representatives in Cal-CSIC, per state code. In a budget change proposal (BCP), the CHP, CalOES, the California Military Department and the California Department of Technology jointly sought $28.7 million and 17 positions to continue resources authorized in FY 2020-21 and enhance resources to support center responsibilities — specifically leading efforts to target cyber threats. Facing a decline in federal funding, the state entities in FY 2020-21 sought positions and funding that was set to expire June 30. The CHP’s portion of that funding was $925,000.
- $9.8 million from other funds and 11 positions for the statewide implementation of body-worn cameras (BWCs). In a BCP, CHP had sought 11 permanent positions, $9.8 million in FY 2023-24, $9.9 million in FY 2024-25 and $4.9 million ongoing starting in FY 2025-26 to extend its Wireless Mobile Video/Audio Recording System (WMVARS) project and implement BWCs for officers statewide. The CHP has had in-car cameras since 2009; it piloted BWCs in the Stockton and Oakland areas starting in 2016. However, the age of in-car systems proved to be an issue with BWC deployment, which was a factor leading to the WMVARS project.
- $1.1 million from other funds and one position for the ongoing support of telematics. In a BCP, CHP had sought one Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) position and $1.1 million in permanent budgetary funding for the ongoing operating costs of its Fleet Telematics System, which enables sending, receiving and storing telemetry data such as vehicle locations, speeds and fuel use. The AGPA staffer will be CHP’s statewide telematics administrator/coordinator, per the BCP, and take on the additional work of managing all telematics subscription services and reporting to the Department of General Services.
- $402,000 from other funds in permanent funding for privacy and risk management program positions. That’s precisely the amount CHP had sought in a BCP to pay for two existing IT Specialist II jobs that serve as its privacy and risk management administrator, and its systems security engineer — both supporting its privacy and risk management program safeguarding personally identifiable information (PII) stored in the agency’s IT infrastructure. The positions were originally funded in FY 2017-18. Permanent funding, the CHP said, is critical to preserving oversight and compliance programs, maintaining compliance with state and federal standards on PII and keeping the department’s network, data and personnel safe.
