Seventies TV star Erik Estrada becomes a cop – 40 years after playing one in CHiPs

SEVENTIES TV star Erik Estrada has become a cop – 40 years after playing a traffic officer in CHiPs.

Erik, 67, who first appeared as Frank Llewelyn “Ponch” Poncherello in 1977, signed up as a reserve officer in St Anthony, Idaho.

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But unlike his character, he will be protecting children from online sexual predators rather than patrolling the highways on his motorbike.

He is helping to head up the police department’s new Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Estrada said: “’Education is the best protection especially on the internet. Children should be educated in how to handle a chat room.

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“Don’t give out personal information. Certainly don’t give out your mother’s or father’s name or what school you go to. Don’t ever accept gifts.”

CHiPs originally ran for six seasons from 1977 to 1983, with the cast coming together again in 1988 for a reunion TV movie.

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The show followed the adventures of macho Ponch and his straight-laced partner Jon, played by Larry Wilcox, as they patrolled LA’s highways.

A film adaptation of the show is set to be released next year starring Ant-Man actor Michael Peña.