Tour of The California Highway Patrol Upfitting Shop and EVOC Course Demonstration

1. Tour of The California Highway Patrol Upfitting Shop and EVOC Course Demonstration September 12, 2013

2. California Highway Patrol AcademySacramento, CA

3. CHP Fleet Operations Section Buys, equips, and distributes all motor vehicles operated by the Department. This includes the installation of specialized enforcement equipment.

4. Fleet Replacement Plan The agency’s goal, budget permitting, is to replace about a third of its 4,300-vehicle fleet each year including: • 2,300 patrol vehicles • 430 motorcycles • 140 all-terrain vehicles

5. Several years ago the department was faced with making a decision to replace their legacy fleet of Crown Victoria Police Interceptors manufactured by Ford from 1992 – 2011.

7. New Ford Police Interceptor Utility The CHP's vehicle acquisition process, though, seems a bit convoluted. When the CHP decides to buy a new vehicle, it informs the Department of General Services (DGS), which opens a bidding process. DGS is responsible for accepting and vetting the bids and awarding a contract. To be considered in the first place, the vehicles must be pursuit rated by a trusted agency, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department or the Michigan State Police.

8. Manufacturers Specifications Based on the Explorer SUV, Ford states that the PI Utility is a purpose-built vehicle. The vehicles are fitted with heavy duty brake, cooling, and electrical systems to cope with the rigors of police work.

9. CHP Requirements The CHP requires that its vehicles hit 60 mph in under 10 seconds and 100 mph in under 29 seconds. It also requires that a vehicle be able to accelerate from 50 mph to 100 mph in less than 22 seconds, have a minimum top speed of 120 mph and hit 120 mph from a standing start within two miles.

10. The California Highway Patrol has become the first law enforcement agency in the state to use the new faster, smarter and more fuel efficient Ford Police Interceptor sports utility pursuit vehicle.

11. 450 PI Utilities Received 1,000 More Requested

12. Each vehicle is pre-inspected from the factory for quality control purposes and to assure all vehicle specifications have been met.

13. Vehicles are stripped of all interior panels to allow for installation of required equipment.

14. Parts are boxed up and set aside for reinstallation later in the process.

15. The upfit assembly line has 7 work stations.

16. Approximate build time is 22 hours per vehicle.

17. Shop output is 4-5 vehicles per day.

18. The California Highway Patrol Enhanced Radio System (CHPERS) project was initiated to enhance statewide CHP radio communications.

19. The CHPERS project meets the goal of providing interoperability at the local, state, and federal levels.

20. CHPERS allows for improved communications from dispatch to the patrol vehicle, as well as from the vehicle directly to officers in the field.

21. Officers can now talk from San Diego to Redding over their 2-way radios.

22. Radio speakers in the four doors broadcast four different radio frequencies.

23. Exterior front PA speakers have been refurbished and reused on CHP patrol vehicles for up to 3 decades.

24. Fine tuning the electronics.

25. Final fit & finish at the end of the line.

27. The finished product is out the door and ready for service.

28. PIs Come In Multiple Flavors

29. In addition, the shop builds a limited number of specialized law enforcement vehicles for other sections within the CHP and allied agencies.

30. Motorcycle Upfitting Shop

31. CHP Adopts Harley-Davidson for Highway Enforcement The police Electra Glide cycles bear many similarities to the civilian versions, including the V-twin 103cc engine, and have been upgraded for police use.

32. Aging BMWs make up its current fleet of enforcement motorcycles.

33. The initial purchase order was for 120 Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide motorcycles. 400 more will need to be replaced.

34. The C.H.P. chose the Electra Glide because it has a faring that provides the officer better protection and offers more real estate to mount speakers and other police equipment.

35. The CHP is receiving five bikes per week including 32 Electra Glides from model-year 2013; the remainder will be model-year 2014 cycles.

36. Stock cams for the H-D's SE-255 are changed out to increase torque and give it a bit more out of the hole, more horsepower, and more top-end speed.

37. The bikes also include a robust charging system, heated hand guards and grips, and a push-to-talk system.

38. The Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) is famous throughout the world as the finest law enforcement driver training program available.

39. The course consists of a 2.3-mile, high-performance driving track, two skid recovery practice areas and a defensive driving course. Additional riding facilities are provided for the Motorcycle Enforcement Training Course.

40. We were treated to a demonstration of some of the capabilities of the Dodge Chargers powered by V8 Hemi engines. Four lucky Fleet Supervisors got to go for a “Diagnostic Road Test” with the Academy’s driving instructors.

41. The first of many 360’s.

42. We were told that this “Blue Angles” type of demonstration was reserved for special guests.

43. Each car made two laps clockwise and counter clockwise each before parking in front of the grandstands.

44. Hairpin Turn

45. There’s nothing like the smell of burning rubber in the afternoon!

46. Bring It Home

47. Safely Parked

48. The demonstration wore out the rear set of tires on the vehicles.

49. “Powered” tire rubber on the pavement.