Sheriff’s Department looks for strong women to serve

Hundreds of people showed up to the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside Wednesday to take the Sheriff’s Department’s Physical Fitness Test.

It’s a chance for women to take the test before the 2012 Women’s Challenge on November 3rd.

The Challenge is a day where only women will be allowed to take the fitness test.

The test includes:
27 sit-ups
22 push-ups
One and 1/2 mile in 14 minutes

Only ten percent of Sheriff’s Deputies are women.
Army Reserve Specialist Audra Hay was the only woman in her group to advance to orientation.

“It’s either intimidating or it’s motivating,” Hay admits.”I better look at it that way.”

Hay says the key to success is a mix of confidence, and strength.

“I did it at an older age, and I tell all those young kids… If I can do it, you can do it. I really believe that, I don’t just say it.”

“The first time was kinda intimidating,” says recent college graduate Brenda Delatorre. “Obviously there aren’t a lot of girls out here. I didn’t even want to get in the car. The second time I was like OK, I got this, hopefully I can do it!”

She missed her mile test by 30 seconds, and will be out to take the test for her third time at the Women’s Challenge.

“Next time will be better because it’s a bunch of girls, which kind of makes you less intimidated, they’re out there pushing you like, girl you got this!”

Once participants pass the physical test, they will have to pass more written tests and background checks to enter the academy.

For more information, visit JoinRSD.org.

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