CHP Training and mentorship with Desert Hot Springs High Public Safety Academy

Officer David Torres with the California Highway Patrol is hosting a week mentorship program at Desert Hot Springs High.

Students that are a part of Desert Hot Springs High School Public Safety Academy received hands on experience from CHP Officer David Torres as cadets.

"It's important for like Officer Torres to come into communities are just going to come and teach everyone the safety and the importance of law enforcement, not just to try and intimidate anyone, but also to show them the ways everything is done and how to do everything properly," says D.H.S.H.S. Public Safety Academy cadet, Janaly Zuniga.

As a cadet in the desert hot springs high public safety academy, Janaly Zuniga is learning criminal justice, firefighting, and emergency medical services.

Zuniga and her fellow cadet mates walked through a traffic stop simulation, but she desires to work in the medical field.

"What keeps me going is my passion for doing better for myself, doing better for my family, and doing better for all the communities around there, no matter where I ended up going," says Zuniga.

"These students are very passionate about public safety," says CHP Officer David Torres. "So they loved me coming in here. And it's an awesome experience for me because I get to see the future of what the future of public safety, and we get to see the people that are going to be serving their community."

California Highway Patrol Officer David Torres spoke about the career of a CHP officer and shared safety tips.

"These kids can be doing whatever they want, but they chose to be here to learn more about public safety," says Officer Torres.

To end the week-long program, students surprised Officer Torres with a cake and a signed card.

"I saw that really interested me was them of really like helping out their environment community really wanting to make an impact on someone's life," says Zuniga.

"The students involved in this program are participating in their free time and on their own accord," says Officer Torres.  He is using this week to highlight all aspects of a career in law enforcement, specifically the CHP. 

They are getting real experiences and all of the aspects of the job based on Officer Torres's point of view.

TOPICS of Discussion:

• hiring process
• on the job duties
• public speaking
• news interviews
• teen distracted driving presentation.  

This program is not open to the public. Friday is the last day of the program.