Trooper Steven Haro

California Highway Patrol (CHP)

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has announced the selection of Trooper Steven Haro of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as its Officer of the Month for April 2000. Trooper Haro is currently assigned to the CHP’s San Juan Capistrano area office.
“On behalf of those you saved, who don’t know they were saved, who don’t know you exist, Mothers Against Drug Driving thanks you.” So reads the “Century Award” presented to Trooper Steven Haro on November 18, 1999, by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). This prestigious award is given to law enforcement officers who have made more than 100 alcohol-related arrests within that year. Trooper Haro’s commitment and dedication to this cause is especially noteworthy, as he has received the Century Award on eight separate occasions.
Trooper Haro began his career with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in August 1979. Upon graduation from the CHP Academy in Sacramento he was awarded the Cadet Athletic Award. His first assignment was in West Los Angeles, where he served his one year probationary period primarily assigned to the graveyard shift. His supervisors knew they had someone special in Trooper Haro, when he and his partner led the shift in DUI arrests during his first year on the job.
According to Robert Shearouse, MADD Director of Public Policy, in the last two decades the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths across our nation have declined by more than 40 percent. Leading the nation in the fight against drunk driving, California was the only state to receive an A on MADD’S Rating of the States 2000 report card. In Southern California, with a career total of approximately 2,500 DUI arrests, there is one officer whose work in this field contributed significantly to that high score. Trooper Steve Haro’s mission is to see drunk and impaired drivers out from behind the wheel of their vehicles and behind bars.
“The difference this one officer has made in Southern California cannot be overstated,” says Bob Marlowe, who serves as MADD’s liaison with the law enforcement community in Orange County. “Not only has he personally delivered the message of ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ to the thousands he has arrested; his example has served to inspire many other officers to do more themselves.”
With one of the highest DUI arrest records, in the department, Trooper Haro has also received the coveted CHP’s 10851 Award for stolen vehicle recoveries. He has an impressive 98 percent conviction rate and he has never had to fire his weapon in the line of duty.
Trooper Haro, who is a certified emergency medical technician as well as a field training officer, is the recipient of numerous commendations. He serves on the honor guard and the Presidential Task Force for the CHP. He is a member of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the National Troopers Coalition, and the American Association of State Troopers.
Married with four children, Trooper Haro comes from a family of public servants. He is totally committed to MADD and volunteers his time to support its programs. He is a graduate of East Los Angeles Junior College, where he received an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement Administration.
When commenting on his outstanding officer, Captain Michael Bair, Commander of the Capistrano Area of the California Highway Patrol says, “Trooper Haro’s dedication and hard work exemplify the California Highway Patrol’s desire to remove the intoxicated driver from California’s highways. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s recognition of Trooper Haro’s achievements is appreciated. Trooper Haro is a credit to the California Highway Patrol.”

The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.