Youth: OPINION : Being a Police Officer: ‘I Want to Help My People’

TONY DELGADO: Senior, 19, Franklin High School, Los Angeles

When I was younger, I always thought I wanted to be a police officer. But now, with what the streets are like and so much hatred toward the police, I know I would never want to be a cop. I love working with people. And I think I would make a good cop. But it’s not worth it. With what they (police) do--putting their lives in danger every day to make the streets safe--to still have to put up with the disrespect. Some of my friends really hate cops. They think that they stereotype people. But like life, there are bad ones and good ones. And I think there are far more good cops than bad.

MANUEL ROJAS: Junior, 16, Anaheim High School

I would like to be a policeman. For me, the main reason why someone becomes a police officer is to serve the community. But to serve the community, you need people who understand who the community is.

One of the big problems I see that faces law enforcement in my community is that it needs to get more Latinos in the force. A lot of people hate cops in my area because they feel they don’t understand the community. This can change. I want to change it. That’s why I would want to become a police officer.

NORA VENTURA: Freshman, 16, Anaheim High School, newly arrived from Mexico

There are a lot of people where I live who don’t understand English. They are afraid of the police. I think the police need people who can relate to the people where I live. That’s why I would want to be a police officer. I want to help my people. I want them not to be afraid of the police but to show respect and help them when they need it.

PETER MUELLER: Junior, 16, Culver City High School

I don’t think I would ever consider being a cop. While my objective in life is to become a writer, I am in no way against law enforcement. In fact, I hold some very strict personal opinions on certain matters involving the treatment of criminals. However, I feel I could better serve everyone--myself included--by doing it in print, instead of on the street.

JASON COLE: Junior, 16, Garfield High School, Los Angeles

I have no desire to be a cop. Cops get no respect. And the danger they have to endure--I don’t think that’s the way I want to spend my life. I don’t have any bad feelings for cops, but as a profession, no way.

MARCELA SANDOVAL: Senior, 18, Garfield High School

From the standpoint of being in law enforcement, a police officer is not the way I would want to go. However, I still am very interested in serving in the field of justice as a criminal lawyer.

As far as good cops/bad cops, I really think there aren’t that many who are bad. With all the violence these men and women face on a daily basis, it’s amazing that they are able to remain so professional. They are just doing their jobs. If people had to put up with as much as cops do, they might have a different perception of law enforcement.

REKESHA STEWART: Senior, 18, Dorsey High School, Los Angeles

I plan to be a cop. My uncle, who is an Inglewood policeman, has been an inspiration to me. Through him, I can see how a police officer is supposed to act. For me, the main thing is reducing the tension in the community. As a police officer, I would like to reduce the tension and work with the community. I want to give back to my community. I know being a cop these days is not too popular. A lot of my friends hate the police. But I have a lot of friends who think the police are doing the best job they can, given the circumstances.

STACI FARMER: Senior, 17, at Fremont High School, Los Angeles

I would never consider being a cop. Though I don’t hate them, I value my life too much to put it on the line to serve a community that hates you. But while I don’t believe this hate my community has for the police is entirely justified, I believe the police still have some major problems in how they deal with the community. They say they’re here to protect and serve, but I think there are cops that go beyond that. I want to serve my community, but not as a police officer. I think I can best do this as a criminal attorney.