'CHiPs' star Estrada becomes Idaho reserve police officer

ST. ANTHONY, Idaho (AP) - An actor who played a motorcycle police officer on the TV series "CHiPs" has been sworn in as a reserve officer in a small town in southeastern Idaho.

Erik Estrada became a member of the St. Anthony Police Department on Saturday.

The star of the drama set in Los Angeles and based on the California Highway Patrol that ran in the late 1970s and early 1980s plans to help the town of 3,500 protect children from internet predators.

The 67-year-old Estrada tells the Standard Journal he wanted to be a police officer growing up but caught the acting bug.

He has worked with law enforcement agencies the last decade to keep kids safe online.

He says children should learn about internet dangers and avoid giving out personal information.