CHP Officers
The use of one officer per California Highway Patrol car proves dangerous both to the officer and possible lawbreakers. He has little protection against a felon who has predetermined the action he will take. As for an officer stopping violators, today, he has no back-up to assist about legal procedures or wrong doings.
In 1984, George Michael Gwaltney of the California Highway Police was convicted of raping and killing a young woman near Barstow. Cara Evelyn Knott of El Cajon was strangled to death on Dec. 22, 1986, near Interstate 15. Officer Craig Alan Peyer, a 13-year veteran, has been charged with the offense.
Both killings could have been avoided by the use of two officers to a car. As for those CHP officers who have been killed in the past, this could have been avoided by the same procedure.
The cost of trials and incarceration far outweigh any additional taxpayer expense if two officers are assigned to a car.
AL WALLBANK
Temecula
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