The Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol is celebrating the homecoming of two of its newest members this week. On Friday, Officer Wheeler and Officer Reed—both Susanville locals—officially graduated from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento as part of Cadet Training Class IV-25.
The graduation ceremony honored 129 new officers who are now ready to begin their service across the state. For the Susanville community, this graduation is a win for local representation, as two “homegrown” officers return to protect the roads they grew up on.
A Proud Day for Lassen County
The local CHP office expressed their excitement on social media, noting that it was an honor for Officer Vinson to participate in the special ceremony and stand alongside the new graduates.
“These new officers represent the future of public safety in California,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The badge they were given is on loan from the people of this state, and every day they must earn the right to wear it through professionalism, ethical conduct and accountability to the public they serve.”
Rigorous Training for a Complex Job
Before earning their badges, Wheeler and Reed completed more than six months of intensive instruction. Their training at the academy covered a massive range of skills necessary for modern policing:
- Tactical Skills: Defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, and emergency vehicle operations.
- Investigative Work: Traffic enforcement and collision investigation.
- Community Focus: Ethics, effective communication, and cultural awareness.
What’s Next?
As sworn CHP officers, the duo is now part of a department that handles everything from lifesaving aid at crash scenes to wildfire evacuations. While they are starting on patrol, their careers could eventually lead them into specialized roles like K-9 handling, air operations, or investigative services.
Officer Wheeler and Officer Reed are scheduled to report to their field training assignments on February 16th.
