In response to the deaths of six California Highway Patrol (CHP)
officers since last September, CHP officers from across the
state – including those in Santa Barbara County – underwent a
seldom-employed “welfare check” earlier this week. In what was
described by some as a virtual stand-down, all 108 command stations
in the state closed for a portion of time during a 48-hour period,
allowing officers and commanders to review safety policies and
procedures. Local CHP spokesperson Don Clotworthy explained that
the procedure – which began on Tuesday – wouldn’t affect policing
activity and described the meetings as a “much-needed open
discussion to just see how the officers are feeling.”
