CHP officers gather for annual inspection
I MPERIAL — Despite the seriousness of the occasion, many of the California Highway Patrol officers who had gathered Wednesday for their annual uniform and equipment inspection used the opportunity to have some good-natured fun with their colleagues.
Yet, all the light- hearted banter came to an immediate halt once Capt. Karyn Mentink came on scene to conduct the inspection.
Once the inspection of about two dozen officers was completed, the fun resumed.
“This year is kind of extra special because we got the entire crew here so we could do a group photo for the office,” Mentink said. “It’s very rare to get the entire squad together.”
As part of the annual Category 10 uniform and equipment inspection, officers had donned blue ties and campaign hats to go along with their khaki uniforms.
The annual inspections are meant to ensure the CHP maintains a professional appearance while continuing to provide safety, service and security to the motoring public.
The agency is also in the midst of a hiring campaign for both dispatchers and officers, and Mentink, who was among a total of two women CHP officers on hand Wednesday, said she would like to see more women apply.
“I always think adding women to law enforcement agencies in general is a good thing,” the 25- year CHP veteran said. “But, we always have a hard time recruiting and retaining women.”
During the inspection, Mentink could be seen methodically reviewing each officers’ uniform and firearm.
A lieutenant followed at her side, jotting down any concerns Mentink may have had with an officer’s dress or equipment, in order to be addressed later.
Once the inspection was over, law enforcement personnel gathered with the office’s clerical and dispatch staff for a group photo.
Squeezed in among the crowd was CHP Explorer Genesis Silva, who has been with the program for the past several months.
Silva said he had gotten interested in a career in law enforcement following a presentation by a CHP representative at Imperial Valley College, where Silva had been studying criminal justice.
Although he had also been considering join- ing the Border Patrol or possibly becoming a correctional officer, he would ultimately gravitate toward the CHP.
“Ever since I got into the CHP Explorers program I’ve been focused on it,” the 20- year- old Calipatria resident said.