For decades the patrol has prided itself as "above the political frey" and has been utilized by local governments to make politically sensitive arrests. Most Californians feel the patrol is politically neutral.
This is why Gray Davis probably asked them to intervene so he could say: "Look at me. I'm innocent. I asked the CHP to investigate".
Politically neutral? This Californian dosen't. I know who signs the head of the Highway Patrol's pay check.