CHP Probes School Bus Licensing

The California Highway Patrol is investigating whether one or more officers issued licenses to unqualified school bus drivers in the Los Angeles area, officials said Tuesday.

One CHP officer and three bus drivers have been placed on leave as a result of the probe.

CHP Commissioner D.O. “Spike” Helmick said two dozen investigators from Sacramento have been combing driver records for about a month to determine if CHP officers took kickbacks for approving school bus licenses when drivers had either failed written or practical driving tests or should have been disqualified because they had criminal records.

Investigators began reviewing licenses and records for drivers at Laidlaw Education Services after receiving a tip, Helmick said. Laidlaw provides bus service to a number of school districts, including Los Angeles Unified, but authorities wouldn’t say which districts’ drivers were being reviewed.

“The question is, were any drivers out there not certified to drive school buses?” Helmick said. “The number may be small, but even one is too many.”

The commissioner said at least one officer assigned to the CHP’s South Los Angeles office had been put on administrative leave during the investigation, which started about a month ago. Although the tipster alleged that officers were taking kickbacks, the CHP has yet to uncover evidence of such payments, Helmick said.

Investigators are examining the files of 300 to 400 drivers whose applications the officer on leave personally handled, Helmick said. He did not identify the officer.

Los Angeles Unified spokeswoman Stephanie Brady said district officials were informed of the investigation on Tuesday. A Laidlaw executive informed the district that three of the company’s drivers had been placed on leave during the investigation and that one of those drivers operated a route for the L.A. district, Brady said.

Laidlaw issued a brief statement Tuesday.

“Laidlaw Education Services is cooperating with the California Highway Patrol in its investigation,” said Michael D. Griffus, a senior vice president, in the written statement. “Any driver whose certification is at issue will be placed on administrative leave pending conclusion of the probe.”

Helmick said three other officers had been placed on leave during the investigation, but were returned to duty when investigators found they had no apparent involvement. Helmick estimated the investigation would conclude in 10 days and said its results may be sent to the district attorney for possible criminal prosecution.

Unlike most motorists, who are licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, school bus drivers are licensed by the CHP so they can receive more intense testing and scrutiny.

Helmick said that while checking out the tip, investigators came upon what he described as “very sloppy work by one or two employees.” That led investigators to deepen their investigation.

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Times staff writer Cara Mia DiMassa contributed to this report.