Academy graduates 138 officers in time of layoff uncertainty
Lynda Gledhill, The San Francisco Chronicle
West Sacramento -- California Highway Patrol Officer James B. Smith knows better than most the meaning of sacrifice. He decided to join the CHP after his brother-in-law was killed in the line of duty.
For Smith and the other 137 graduates of the CHP Academy, Friday was a day to be proud of completing their 27-week training, look ahead to new assignments and celebrate with family.
But it was also a time of uncertainty as they readied to possibly receive layoff notices. As they joined the law enforcement ranks, however, they expressed optimism that their jobs would be protected.
“I feel pretty confident about where our positions are, but if we’re put on layoffs, we’re put on layoffs,” said Smith, who is from Riverside and has been assigned to the San Bernardino office. “We’ll report to our assignments and enforce the law like we’ve been trained to do.”
The Highway Patrol -- along with almost all state agencies -- will send out notices to employees who might be laid off. The state is trying to renegotiate contracts with employees to save $855 million as it seeks to close the state’s $38 billion budget gap.
Those who graduated Friday will be among the 469 CHP officers who will receive the notices. Whether any will be laid off is unclear, however.
“I’m committed to find a way to keep them,” said CHP Commissioner Dwight “Spike” Helmick.
Some steps already have been taken to try to make room for the new officers,
including the maintaining of 158 open positions, Helmick said.
He said he would also encourage those eligible to retire to do so, making room for the new officers. Helmick said other law enforcement agencies have expressed interest in hiring the officers -- each having been trained at a cost of $125,000 to the state.
“I’ve asked them to keep their mitts off of them,” Helmick said.
Also possibly affected by layoffs would be 140 more cadets now in training and scheduled to graduate in September.
Friday’s ceremony was filled with the joys of any graduation -- children beaming with pride and parents tearful as patriotic music and crisp footsteps carried the cadets across the stage to receive their shiny gold badges.
To spend all that money for training and not be able to use the officer is crazy, said some of the 1,500 family members who attended the ceremony.
“It’s a waste of money and all his hard work,” said Chris Norris, whose brother, Allister Norris, graduated Friday. “He left a stable job to do this.”
Norris’ mother, Rose Moody, said being a CHP officer is something her son “always wanted to do.”
Smith said his commitment to service was renewed after his brother-in-law, Sean Nava, was killed by a drunken driver in October 2000 on Interstate 5 near Carlsbad (San Diego County) while he was on duty as a CHP officer.
“I wanted to come back and finish the journey he never was able to,” Smith said as his sister and her two young children stood nearby.
Other cadets expressed the same pride for their organization, and only some worried about the layoff notices.
“This is the best way to make a difference,” said new Officer Jeffrey Chen. “I’m being paid to help people and to make a difference in the community.”
Chen, whose assignment is in West Los Angeles, admitted he has considered the possibility of layoffs.
“I’m just going to go to my job and do my best,” he said. “I’m confident it will work out.”
Chen said he had never worked so hard in his whole life as during the past 27 weeks of training.
“It’s been a great adventure,” he said. “It’s opened a door that I hope will be a career that will last for 30 years.”
The family of Officer Jonathan White, who will be based in Napa, said they believe the layoff controversy is political.
“I’m hoping this is purely an attempt to get the government to realize they can’t do this,” said Deanna Bradford, White’s mother. “We need these guys.”
And new officer Anthony Martin Sr. said he plans to simply do his job. Martin studied criminal justice in college and returned to take the training after playing professional basketball overseas for several years.
“I think the governor and Legislature will see to it that we maintain our jobs,” he said. “It’s not my job to do that. I’m sure the people in the position to make that decision will make the right one.”