Program Gives Sacramento Students A Taste Of Becoming A Peace Officer

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A high-school program is giving kids a taste of what it's like to be a peace officer.

The young cadets learned what it's like to be a police officer in a high-speed pursuit.

"They're out here learning basically about traffic safety and how to be a good driver and also just kinda getting a taste of what we do as police officers out in the field," said Sacramento Police officer Rosalia Cabrera.

Maribel Campos already knows she wants to be a police officer.

"Ever since I was small I've been interested in law enforcement. I think it's cool watching police officers driving during emergency calls or actually helping a family that needs help," she said.

She's one of the students enrolled in the Criminal Justice Academy at Sacramento's JFK High School. While there's an emphasis in learning about law enforcement, the main goal is encouraging kids to graduate high school and then college.

After a couple of tosses, turns and spinouts, Campos still wants the job.

"It's pretty intense," she said.

The program is in its 26th year.