Aspiring Sacramento Officers Reflect On Dallas Police Shootings

WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Shanell Gonzalez and Clifford Brooks are cadets at the California Highway Patrol academy in West Sacramento. They say the vicious assault on officers in Dallas is sobering.

"What happened yesterday was a tragedy," Gonzalez said.

"When things do happen you kind of take a step back and think about it," Brooks said.

CHP instructors like Asst. Chief Omar Watson are helping the young cadets cope.

"It's OK to talk about it, and it's okay to have an emotional response to the events that has taken place in Dallas," she said.

Matthew Bollinger, an explorer with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is not in the academy yet, but can't wait to start.

"Ever since a young age I've had an interest in becoming a peace officer," he said. "In light of what's happened I think there's no better time to get into law enforcement because hey obviously need people who will represent the community well and inspire healing in what has happened."

State officials are now concerned about local agencies filling the ranks with recruits. It's getting more difficult to find qualified applicants with controversies around police.

But those on the path to protect and serve see law enforcement as a calling they must fulfill.

"In light of what happened yesterday is really unfortunate I know a lot of cadets are really upset about it but we're still focused on the goal ahead and really go out and help the community," Brooks said.

He and Gonzalez will graduate from the CHP academy next month and be assigned to the Los Angeles area.