Cast of characters
- Larry Wilcox as Officer Jonathan A. Baker (1977-1982) / 7-Mary-3
- Erik Estrada as Officer Francis (Frank) Llewelyn “Ponch” Poncherello / 7-Mary-4 (7-Mary-6 in the final season)
- Robert Pine as Sergeant Joe (Joseph) Getraer / S-4
- Lew Saunders as Officer Gene Fritz (1977-1979) / 5-David-5
- Brodie Greer as Officer Barry Baricza (1977-1982) / 7-Adam
- Paul Linke as Officer Artie (Arthur) “Grossie” Grossman / 7-Mary-5
- Lou Wagner as Harlan Arliss, Automobile/Motorcycle Mechanic, CHP (1978-1983)
- Brianne Leary as Officer Sindy Cahill (1978-1979) / 7-Charles
- Randi Oakes as Officer Bonnie Clark (1979-1982) / 7-Charles
- Michael Dorn as Officer Jebediah Turner (1979-1982) / 7-David
- Tom Reilly as Officer Bobby “Hot Dog” Nelson (1982-1983) / 7-Mary-7
- Tina Gayle as Officer Kathy Linahan (1982-1983) / 7-Mary-10
- Bruce Penhall as Cadet/Officer Bruce Nelson (1982-1983) / 7-Mary-8
- Clarence Gilyard, Jr. as Officer Benjamin Webster (1982-1983)
Cast changes
In the fifth season (1981-1982), Estrada was occasionally replaced by Bruce Jenner (Officer Steve McLeish) for a half-dozen episodes due to a contract dispute. Despite their successful pairing on-screen, Wilcox and Estrada did not always get along when the cameras were not rolling. However, it was Wilcox’s falling-out with the producers over what he saw as continual favoritism towards Estrada (giving Estrada a Rolls Royce, for example), that saw him not return for the sixth and final season, and he was replaced by Tom Reilly (Officer Bobby Nelson). Bruce Penhall was also introduced as cadet–probationary officer Bruce Nelson, Bobby’s younger brother at the same time. Estrada apparently did not approve of Reilly’s work ethic (and was also very displeased with Reilly’s real-life arrest by the LAPD for possession of controlled substances during a traffic stop), and as a result Bobby was featured much less prominently in later episodes of the season, with Bruce taking his place for most of the remainder episodes.
