Cadets Ready For Difficult Time In Law Enforcement

Local police academy cadets are preparing to graduate this summer and begin their careers. They’ll begin working in law enforcement during a time when civil unrest and public mistrust is a topic of discussion nationwide.

The dozens of cadets who may soon be patrolling Central Valley streets say they’re ready for this difficult time in law enforcement. They hope their efforts can destroy the negative vibes.

In the next couple months the cadets at Fresno City College aim to begin careers in California law enforcement. Police mistrust and riots are making news nationwide and instructors with decades of experience say these cadets will be tested early in their careers.

"The civil unrest is the worst I have personally seen ever in my career," said Fresno City College Police Academy Director Richard Lindstrom.

As the cadets continue their training it’s closely tied to current events. Their work at Fresno City College is preparing them for the hostility they may face.

"We’ve learned that negative words and thoughts are not actually personal, so we’re not taking it at a personal attack. It’s more toward the uniform," said Fresno City College Cadet Andrea Alicuben.

Cadets say staying calm under pressure is their goal.

"We’ve been trusted by the public to do this job and set these personal feelings aside. So we have to go out and do the best that we can and not let the personal feelings get in the way," said John Kecskes, a Fresno City College Police Academy cadet.

Cadets train to be physically and mentally tough, but instructors say the emphasis on earning the respect of the public is paramount.

"It’s done one officer at a time, one call at a time. The more time we take to answer these calls and listen to the public and be more of a public servant then the better we are to change the public’s perception of law enforcement," said Kecskes.

"We’ve been taught a lot about respect. Respect everyone. So I think this newer generation of law enforcement officers will make a big change," said Alicuben.