SACRAMENTO, Calif. — “Fifty-two years ago, I sat where you’re sitting.”
With those words, Gordon Graham, Lexipol co-founder and 33-year California Highway Patrol veteran, opened his keynote address to the CHP’s latest graduating class — 133 officers who now join the fifth-largest law enforcement agency in the country.
Graham, known across public safety for his work in risk management, spoke not only as a CHP alumnus but as a national leader in police training and policy. His message: Do your job, do it well and take care of yourself along the way.
“Go out there and do your job safely,” Graham said. “The CHP has done their role ... What are your obligations with respect to preservation of life — your life — not just the length of your life but the quality of your life?”
Throughout his address, Graham wove together lessons from his early days as a motor officer in Central Los Angeles, his time attending law school while serving as a sergeant and the friendships forged on graveyard shifts that still endure decades later.
“I rode motors with every one of them,” Graham said, calling out former colleagues who stood in the audience. “Fifty years later, we’re still best friends.”
Graham reminded recruits that their cruiser isn’t just a vehicle — it’s a mobile office, a symbol of their profession and a tool that demands care and respect.
“Drive it like you own it. Take care of that stuff and it’ll take care of you.”
Later, he added: “Please take pride in your job. Take pride in your appearance. Take pride in your vehicle. Take pride in the way you do business. Please make excellence the norm, not the deviation.”
The ceremony, held at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, marked the conclusion of 26 weeks of training that included instruction in traffic enforcement, firearms, defensive tactics, legal procedures and community policing. It also marked a continuation of the department’s recruitment push — 364 new officers have been sworn in this year, with another 160 cadets starting this month.
“These officers have demonstrated their dedication to keeping California’s communities safe and upholding the CHP’s core values,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “This graduation marks the beginning of a commitment to protecting and serving others.”
For Graham, the ceremony was more than a trip down memory lane. It was a challenge to the new class — one delivered with humor, personal reflection and a dose of hard truth. As he closed his remarks, Graham left the class with a simple but powerful reminder.
“Let’s go back and work safely. Make every contact count. You’re the women and men who do it. My hat’s off to you. Congratulations.”
