Santa Ana : CHP Chief’s Opposite Number in Mexico Visits

Alejandro Romero, commander of the Mexican highway patrol in the northern state of Sonora, is in Santa Ana this week trying to learn what makes the California Highway Patrol tick.

Romero is one of five Mexican officers in Southern California for the first stage of an exchange program between the CHP and its Mexican counterpart.

In June, Mexican and CHP officials met in San Diego and sealed the plan to send five officers for a week to work with CHP officers. The exchange is an extension of a 20-year agreement under which six CHP officers are stationed full time in Mexico, said CHP Capt. Charles Lynd, head of the Santa Ana CHP office.

Besides giving Mexican officials a look at the modern computers, radio systems and new cars they lack at home, the exchange is aimed at providing CHP officers with a deeper understanding of the area’s Latino community, Lynd said.

The five Mexican commanders began work Monday morning at CHP headquarters in San Diego, Oceanside, El Centro and Banning.

Romero, 42, said he most wanted to study CHP hiring practices and personnel evaluation. Later in the week, he hopes to ride with county CHP officers.

“There is less roadway in Orange County but many more cars than in Mexico,” Romero said. “And the roads are a lot wider.”

Lynd said that if the visit works out, he will visit Romero in Sonora later this year, and lower-ranking officers will also visit Mexico.

Lynd said understanding Latino culture has become a major CHP aim.