SANTA MARIA - The Santa Cruz Police officer shooting tragedy is the latest in what's been a string of recent shootings that have killed law enforcement officers.
Central Coast News spoke with new police recruits to find out why they want to pursue such a dangerous occupation.
The Law Enforcement Academy at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria attracts recruits from across the Central Coast.
One of only about a dozen such programs in the state, the Academy will be moving into a sprawling, new state of the art Public Safety Complex at the AHC Lompoc Valley campus later this year.
"We are preparing them physically, mentally and morally to enter the law enforcement field", says Law Enforcement Academy instructor Steve Yamaichi.
The men and women recruits have different reasons for pursuing a career in law enforcement.
"Its in my family", says recruit Matt Davis, "my father and my brother are both in law enforcement."
"I wanted to help protect the community here", adds recruit Dani Mytych, "I wanted to get dirt bags off the street."
The recruits say they are well aware that a career in law enforcement includes assuming all the risks and dangers that come with the job.
"Oh definitely, yes its dangerous", Davis says, "the number one goal is to go home every night."
Dani Mytych says she's had second thoughts about it.
"It's an exciting career, its rewarding", Mytych says, "its an honorable career."
"It's something that you have to think about before you dedicate yourself", says Academy recruit Tim Ford, "you gotta sit down and think that it's something that you really want to do and then go for it and put forward the effort it deserves."
Graduates from the AHC Law Enforcement Academy are eligible to apply for any peace officer position in the state.
