Membership

The California Police Chiefs Association was founded in 1966 to serve as a voice and resource for California’s municipal police chiefs. It has since grown to serve their seconds in command, retired chiefs, and school, transportation and campus chiefs of police. As a CPCA member, you become part of a expansive and niche community with access to connections, resources and professional development to help you stay successful in the policing profession.


Becoming a Member

Members gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, designed to enhance their skills, foster collaboration, and support their commitment to excellence in policing. These benefits include:

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Networking events
  • Executive Peer Support
  • Online Member Communities
  • Member Resource Libraries
  • and so much more! 

Below you will find more information about our memberships, including the application link for each membership type.

Memberships are one year long and begin on July 1st and end on June 30th. Please be advised that membership is contingent upon meeting the specified requirements and may not be approved if qualifications are not met. We appreciate your interest in joining CPCA and will be in touch within 24 hours after you submit your application.

Membership Types

Our Chief of Police membership is exclusively for police chiefs of municipal police agencies.

Dues are based on the total number of full time agency personnel - see below.
1-12 $210
13-25 $365
26-50 $462
51-75 $730
76-100 $1,702
101-150 $1,945
151-200 $2,188
Over 200 $2,431

Apply Today!

Associate Membership is available to sworn management and command staff level personnel in municipal police agencies. The Associate member must hold a rank that is considered at management or command staff level, unless the agency’s second in command is a sergeant, and then the sergeant would be eligible to join.
Associate membership is $155 annually.
Affiliate membership is a special category of membership reserved for individuals who are not current municipal chiefs of police but do hold the rank of chief of police or equivalent in the following law enforcement categories – transportation, school, and campus. An affiliate member must be a full-time, paid, sworn officer with full peace officer powers as specified in Section832 of the Penal Code and not employed by a county law enforcement agency.
Affiliate membership is $500 annually.
Retired membership is reserved for those that were previous members of the California Police Chiefs Association but are now retired.
Retired membership is $50 annually.