The California Highway Patrol is not hiring new officers now because of the state’s ongoing budget crisis.

The agency’s Web site reported the CHP “is no longer accepting applications for Cadet, CHP.”

In addition, a phone message at one of the CHP’s offices said, “Due to the California budget crisis, the hiring of new officers has been suspended.”

California has been in the midst of a budget crisis since former Gov. Gray Davis was in office. That crisis played a role in his recall and the subsequent election of now-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Media sources have reported that the state faces a $10 billion budget deficit this year. At one point, the state stopped purchasing or accepting donations of new parkland because of associated costs.