The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a state law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and are also known as the state police. They have jurisdiction statewide and can enforce law enforcement powers anywhere within the state. California Highway Patrol can assist local and county agencies and can patrol major city streets along with local and county law enforcement, state and interstate highways and are primary law enforcement in rural parts of the state.