Southwest Riverside County Gets New CHP Captain

TEMECULA, CA — California Highway Patrol officers who work in Southwest Riverside County have a new captain, and he plans to stick around.

Captain Jason Penner took command of the CHP Temecula Area office on March 11, according to a news release from the agency. The office provides service on freeways and unincorporated areas throughout Southwest Riverside County — from the San Diego County line to Highway 74 in the Lake Elsinore and Perris areas. In total, the jurisdiction encompasses over 900 square miles in Southwest Riverside County.

Penner follows in the footsteps of CHP Temecula Area Captain Karyn Mentink, who retired in mid-February.

In a released statement, Penner said he is committed to serving the community and acknowledged there are some trouble spots in his new beat.

“I’m aware of the concerns of the local unincorporated communities in the Southwest Riverside County, including those that live on or near SR-74, SR-371 and SR-79." he said. “My goal is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security for the local citizens. I will ensure our officers continue to aggressively arrest impaired drivers and enforce the laws to keep the community safe."

After more than a decade with the CHP, on December 1, 2017 Penner was promoted to captain, assigned to the CHP's El Cajon area office for over two years. Last month, Penner got a transfer to Temecula.

According to the news release, Penner plans on investing the remainder of his career in Southwest Riverside County.

Prior to his 2017 promotion, Penner worked in Santa Fe Springs, Riverside and Inland Division as a supervisor. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and worked in San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Border Division Investigative Services Unit and the San Onofre Inspection Facility.

His career with the CHP began after graduation from the academy on November 22, 1996. In his early days, he was assigned to the CHP's El Centro Area office. He also patrolled areas such as Santa Cruz, San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside before promoting to the rank of sergeant, according to the news release.

Penner was born and raised in Invermere, British Columbia. One summer during his childhood, he and his family vacationed in Southern California. It was a game-changer.

"He fell in love with the weather, which was a little more pleasant than British Columbia," the news release stated. "It made a lasting impression on him. The television show 'CHiP’s' was popular in British Columbia, which is what sparked the idea of joining the CHP."

After graduating from the University of Fraser Valley with a criminal justice degree, Penner made the trip to California and was successful in the CHP hiring process.

In the Temecula Area office, Penner is overseeing one lieutenant, five sergeants, 40 officers, seven non-uniformed employees, 17 senior volunteers and 15 Explorers.