El Protector Program
History
Since 1987, the CHP has been proactively involved in a traffic safety outreach program (El Protector) directed at the Hispanic community. It places special emphasis on educating through dialogue with the community, instead of focusing on enforcement measures. Such community opportunities arise at local neighborhood/townhall meetings, educational functions, other community-related forums, and through the media.
About
The goal of the El Protector Program is to provide traffic safety education to Spanish speaking residents of California to reduce crashes and save lives. Activities are designed to inform and encourage positive traffic safety behavior and to build better relations between the community and law enforcement agencies.
The driving force and focus of this program is the use of CHP officers of Hispanic ancestry or officers who are bilingual and bicultural, known as El Protector Program Coordinators. The coordinator organizes community events, provides traffic safety education presentations, and serves as a Hispanic role model.
Did you know?
With more than 15.5 million Hispanic/Latino residents, California is home to the nation’s largest Hispanic/Latino population. According to 2020 Census data, Hispanic/Latino individuals represent 39.9 percent of California’s population. As the Spanish-speaking population increases, the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes involving Hispanic/Latino drivers has also increased.
Please visit our CHP web page at www.chp.ca.gov for information on other departmental community outreach programs, traffic safety presentations, and for career opportunities with the California Highway Patrol. The safety presentations are conducted by Spanish-speaking PIOs and will cover the following topics:
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- Crash Factors
- Defensive Driving Techniques
- Distracted Driving
- Driver License Requirements
- DUI
- Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety
- Rules of the Road
- Seatbelts/Child Safety Restraints
- Teen/Parent Safe Driving
- Other Educational Programs that the CHP offers.
El Protector Contacts
Presently, the Statewide El Protector Coordinator can be contacted at Community Outreach & Media Relations (COMR) at (916) 843-3210. The following is a list of local locations in your area and their telephone numbers:
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Southern California Los Angeles County |
Northern California Redding Area |
Border Division San Diego / Orange County |
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Valley Division Sacramento Area |
Coastal Division Gold Coast Area |
Golden Gate Division San Francisco Bay Area |
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Inland Division Inland Empire |
Central Division Fresno / Modesto Area |