SACRAMENTO, Calif. The Chula Vista Police department took top honors in its category, 161-250 sworn officers, in the Annual California Law Enforcement Challenge.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state, including California Highway Patrol (CHP) offices, garnered honors for excellence in community traffic safety programs in the 2009 California Law Enforcement Challenge (CLEC).

The California Law Enforcement Challenge is a competition between similar sizes and types of law enforcement agencies. It recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in California. The areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. Agencies submit an application (usually in a three ring or presentation binder) which documents their efforts and effectiveness in these areas. The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within its jurisdiction. The goal is to increase the quality of life in California communities by the reduction of traffic fatalities and injuries through a concerted effort by law enforcement; increasing seat belt and child safety seat compliance, removing impaired drivers from the road and increasing speed enforcement.

The agencies recognized in the 2009 CLEC are those that demonstrate the most comprehensive and effective traffic safety programs through departmental policy, officer training, public information, recognition, and enforcement related to speed, occupant restraint, and impaired driving in an overall effort to minimize the mileage death rate.

“The achievements by all of the allied agencies would not be possible if not for the hard work and involvement of every law enforcement agency across the state,” said C.H.P. Commissioner J.A. Farrow.

CLEC was originated in 2001. This is the first time that the CVPD has won its category. “It’s a privilege and honor when you are recognized by your peers,” said Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano. “But the true reward is when the hard work by officers leads to effective enforcement and public education that leads to lives saved.”

The CVPD and other winning agencies will be honored at event to be determined.

Click below to go to the CLEC web page.

Police Public Information Office