Who We Are
About CHP Watchdog
An independent, citizen-led accountability project focused exclusively on the California Highway Patrol.
Our Mission
CHP Watchdog exists because public employees paid with public money should be subject to public scrutiny. The California Highway Patrol is funded by California taxpayers. We believe those taxpayers have the right to see exactly how their money is spent — and to ask hard questions when the numbers don't add up.
We are not anti-police. We are pro-accountability. Good officers benefit from a system that identifies and addresses fraud, waste, and misconduct. A department that polices itself effectively earns public trust. One that doesn't invites the kind of scrutiny we provide.
How We Work
Public Records First
Every investigation starts with data we can verify — CPRA requests, state audits, court records, and officially published compensation data. We don't rely on rumors or unverified claims.
Tips Are Leads, Not Facts
Anonymous tips help us know where to look. But nothing from a tip is ever published without independent verification through public records. Period.
Show the Math
Our analysis is transparent. When we flag an overtime anomaly, we show the numbers, explain the methodology, and let you draw your own conclusions. The data speaks for itself.
Open Methodology
Our data sources, analysis methods, and CPRA requests are published. If we make an error, we correct it publicly and promptly. You can verify everything we do.
What We Investigate
Our focus is the California Highway Patrol — all 103 area offices across 8 divisions. We track:
Legal Framework
Everything we do is grounded in California law:
California Public Records Act (CPRA)
Government Code §7920.000 et seq. — gives every person the right to access public records maintained by state agencies, including CHP.
SB 1421 (2019)
Opened access to peace officer records involving shootings, use of great bodily force, sustained sexual assault findings, and sustained dishonesty findings.
SB 16 (2022)
Expanded public access to include records of unreasonable or excessive force, and additional categories of sustained misconduct findings.
Anti-SLAPP Protections
California's anti-SLAPP statute (CCP §425.16) provides strong protections for speech on matters of public interest, including government accountability reporting.
What We Are Not
Not law enforcement
We have no authority to investigate, arrest, or prosecute. We are civilians exercising our right to access public records.
Not affiliated with CHP
We have no connection to the California Highway Patrol, any law enforcement agency, or any government body.
Not activists
We don't have a political agenda. We follow the data. If the data shows CHP is operating well, we'll report that too.
Not funded by anyone
No ads, no sponsors, no donations from interested parties. This is an independent project funded entirely out of pocket.
Get Involved
Accountability works best when more people participate. Here are ways you can help: