TUSTIN (KTLA) -- On a windy and warm day in Tustin, we got to see first hand the mental and physical challenges Orange County Sheriff's recruits must conquer in order to make it through the academy and graduate as a deputy.
From enduring physical pain on an obstacle course to getting into simulated life and death situations, giving up is never an option for them.
These recruits are 11 weeks into their training. This was the first day they wore their holsters, guns and battons. Soon they'll start training with a heavy bullet proof vest on.
Why is it so important that these deputies are so well trained?
"Quite literally, it can mean the difference between life and death, or maybe hurt{ing} someone innocent," said Sgt. Dominic Mantalbano.
"We call it stress innoculation," he explains. "You expose someone to stress long enough they get used to it. You have to know what you're doing."
And, he cautions, there's never such thing as a routine call.
"You have to be thinking clearly and fall back on your training and be able to identify what the threat is before you decide what you're going to do in that situation."
Only about 4 percent of the thousands who apply make it all the way thru the application process and the grueling 26 weeks of training. This batch of recruits are scheduled to graduate May 18.
From enduring physical pain on an obstacle course to getting into simulated life and death situations, giving up is never an option for them.
These recruits are 11 weeks into their training. This was the first day they wore their holsters, guns and battons. Soon they'll start training with a heavy bullet proof vest on.
Why is it so important that these deputies are so well trained?
"Quite literally, it can mean the difference between life and death, or maybe hurt{ing} someone innocent," said Sgt. Dominic Mantalbano.
"We call it stress innoculation," he explains. "You expose someone to stress long enough they get used to it. You have to know what you're doing."
And, he cautions, there's never such thing as a routine call.
"You have to be thinking clearly and fall back on your training and be able to identify what the threat is before you decide what you're going to do in that situation."
Only about 4 percent of the thousands who apply make it all the way thru the application process and the grueling 26 weeks of training. This batch of recruits are scheduled to graduate May 18.
