Golden Gate Division: Patrolling San Francisco by Helicopter

Keeping San Francisco’s Bay Area safe is a full-time job for the Golden Gate Division of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Providing security to both state leadership and their buildings, as well as rescuing citizens in distress, are all part of CHP’s daily commitments — and this is on top of its primary duty to police the state’s public roads.

It’s a diverse job in a diverse landscape, and in nearly 100 years of its history, CHP has diversified its methods and equipment — operating a fleet of 30 Airbus H125 helicopters today.

We visit CHP in San Francisco to get a behind-the-scenes look at their operation.


Video by Lloyd Horgan

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[jeeberlewis]

As an aspiring guard pilot with the eventual goal/dream of flying CHP…this is the exact fuel I needed to keep pushing forward. Thanks 🙏🏼

[devonwilliams]

Having “H30” calling your pursuit is one of the best feelings in the world!

[robertmurphy]

Best job in the whole entire world. Respect.

[rwjolley]

That was fantastic! If there ever was a “CHiPs” reboot on television, it should focus on the work of the California Highway Patrol air operations. These folks have the coolest job.

[rhysdunky]

I wish as a foreigner I could fly for U.S law enforcement.. That job looks amazing.

[chaseeisha]

I am Cali FAN and let me tell you this is the coolest thing ever and my cuz is a CHP Motor Biker and he has seen these guys in-person and he loves it

[Nates]

I really want to see the Sonoma County sheriff helicopter Henry one on this YouTube page. They are right up the road from CHP Golden Gate air ops and they work closely with chp

[davidg]

Thank you!!! This is why you flew away with me

[BrandonV]

Theses guys are amazing people I use to work with them and maintain there fix wing and helicopters, I all ways loved my job and working with these guys 💯

[jackschonely]

Incredible video Lloyd. Keep up the fantastic work.👍🚁

[mike]

And very humble fellas too. I liked how they didn't come across as arrogant, when in doing the job they do, they could easily be that way 👍

[d_pete]

I'd love to be a crew member on one of these aircraft. I was a helicopter crew chief in the Army and really miss it.

[EtiRats]

Beautifully filmed, and a great operation they have going on there. Just one question out of interest, it seems they have quite a few overwater tasks with their single engined Eurocpters, but no pop-out floats fitted. Is it a weight issue on these As350s?

[RCCopterLove]

Beautiful footage and a great description of a job that seems to be one of the best for every helicopter pilot!

[cutlass]

Great video, very interesting viewing.

[dontmindmanny]

Hey I helped build those helicopters nice to see them on the job. 😊

[mianatwood]

I wish they didn’t have the 2 year on the ground cop experience requirement 😭😭

[Eric_In_SF]

Patrolling San Francisco and then you proceeded to show the helicopter in Marin, San Mateo coast, east bay etc. You only had two shots of San Francisco both were outside the city limits. The only time we actually see it in San Francisco is when it’s landed on Ocean Beach way out as far away from the city as possible.

It seems like they don’t patrol San Francisco and really just patrol the coast and the counties because I’m pretty sure San Francisco patrols with its own units

[calilife]

All that flying around and still can’t catch thief’s 🤣🤣

[trollpro]

4:15 I just googled it. It says the hottest it get on average is 71. That’s adorable. You guys would melt in 80 degrees. Thats actually embarrassing. Not a pilot, but I feel any helicopter would still be extremely happy in 90 degree days.