More than 140 cadets from all over California endure military style training in hopes of becoming a CHP officer. They go through physical and mental training through a rigorous 27-week boot camp at the California Highway Patrol Academy, in Sacramento. They are pushed to the core and at least a fourth of them will quit because the training is just too hard. CHP Captain Brent Newman told Action News, "We need adults, we need mature, responsible people. It's a profession where people play for keeps and a little mistake could cost a lot."
Action News reporter Audrey Asistio found out just how hard the program is. She began training with 24 other media reporters from all over the state, at the crack of dawn. CHP Sergeant Marc Gomez explained, "It's not just yelling, it's not just working the mat, it's instilling a mindset on them because when they get out on the field and they get involved in the side of the road, they cannot afford to quit."
Learning self-defense, field sobriety testing, traffic accident investigations and how to fire a weapon were among some of the training.
About 35 cadets have already quit or failed since Chico resident Anthony Coleman began training in January. "Every single aspect of this academy is challenging," Coleman said. He says it is his passion and motivation that keeps him going, adding, "Being married and having a young daughter gives you a whole new perspective on life and how important it is for me to finish this academy. I cannot let down my brothers and sisters at the academy and I cannot let my family down. I just want to do everything I can once I get through here and be able to serve the people of California."
The cadet class Coleman is with, is expected to graduate July 9th.
