A regular feature, the #ICYMI is a list of notable incidents involving the California Highway Patrol (CHP) over the past couple of weeks. This installment includes information regarding a surge of interest in joining the Department, officers locate a concealed weapon during routine traffic stop, a CHP dog sniffs out massive fentanyl stash, a speeding YouTuber’s videos land him in hot water with law enforcement, and honoring the nation’s fallen heroes in Washington, D.C.
Applications Increase For CHP
The CHP continues to see high numbers of applications to become an officer, an increase of 104 percent since 2022. In the first four months of 2024, the CHP received more than 7,600 applications from people applying to join the nation’s largest public-facing state law enforcement agency. Marking progress in the Department’s multi-year campaign to recruit 1,000 new CHP officers from the state’s diverse communities, more than 300 cadets completed the Academy and have been sworn in as officers this year.
Traffic Stop Charges
A routine stop of a vehicle for a window tint violation on May 13 in Petaluma took a serious turn when CHP officers discovered there was a $240,000 felony warrant for the driver. Officers also discovered a concealed firearm, leading to multiple felony charges. The driver was booked at Sonoma County Jail for the warrant and multiple gun charges. The passenger was booked on multiple felonies, including felon in possession of a firearm.
Canine Detects Stash
A traffic stop for a mechanical violation in San Francisco on May 13 turned into a major drug bust for a CHP officer and his canine partner, Sully. After detaining the unlicensed driver, K9 Sully was deployed to the vehicle and alerted to an area within the vehicle where officers located several packages of narcotics. The canine team seized 511 grams of fentanyl, 158 grams of methamphetamine, 73 grams of heroin, 20 grams of unknown pills, and 80 grams of suspected Xanax. The suspect was charged with drug-related felony charges and booked into San Francisco County Jail.
Speeding YouTuber Arrested
On May 13, the Contra Costa District Attorney announced it had convicted a Concord man for multiple incidents of extreme speeding and reckless driving on Contra Costa freeways. In late 2022, the CHP initiated an investigation into a YouTuber who had posted several videos of himself driving extremely recklessly on Bay Area roadways. On July 14, 2023, CHP officers saw the suspect speeding over 110 mph on Interstate 680 as he crossed the Benicia-Martinez bridge. He led officers on a chase before eventually stopping and surrendering. On April 3, 33-year-old Scott Kitfield was convicted of two criminal charges from the July 14 incident including fleeing from police while driving recklessly and engaging in a speed contest. He was also convicted of reckless driving without a license from another incident on June 25 and 26. The court placed Kitfield on probation with jail time (60 days) and driving restrictions.
CHP goes to Washington
National Police Week occurs every May and includes a weeklong series of events in the nation’s capital. Several members of the CHP took part in the annual event honoring America’s fallen officers and the sacrifice they made in the line of duty. On May 12, CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee was part of the squad of CHP motorcycle officers who had the honor of leading the nearly 2,000 cyclists who took part in the 2024 Police Unity Tour into the National Law Enforcement Memorial. On May 13, the 36th Annual Candlelight Vigil was held on the National Mall, honoring the officers who lost their lives in 2023.
