ICSO pushes rookies to be their best during agility training

New correctional officers hit the field in hopes of brighter futures - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Thursday morning, the Imperial County Sheriffs Office (ICSO) put some of its newest deputies through their paces.

The ICSO is looking for its next group of future correctional officers. The office held a physical agility test at Imperial Valley College.

Not only is this the first step in becoming a correctional officer, but for the department, it's about setting the tone for those with aspirations to join law enforcement.

Brandon De Los Rios is a correctional officer and the head of the agility event. He says he started in those same shoes three years ago. He explains college students, even high school graduates, in the Imperial County are trying to join the department. When asked about advice he gives his students, he was quick to mention that it's all about the community.

"They try their best, doing it for a good cause, trying to be part of their communities and helping them out," he says.

Sergeant Aaron Arreola has been with the Imperial County Sheriffs office for 15 years. He also started as a regular correction officer who went through the same agility event prior to starting. He explains, the bigger picture is not the event itself, but the department's culture and values to live on through the oath that's sworn.

"To wear the uniform, it's not a simple duty. You are held to a higher standard, and you are here to serve the community," he comments.

His advice to new officers is to learn, be fair, to keep up with laws and to ask questions. Arreola also explains that the way law enforcement is seen these days is a bit difficult.

"The way people see law enforcement right now, is not in a good perspective. Unfortunately the events that have played out have given us a bad look," he states.

The Imperial County Sheriffs office tells me they will continue to be positive, and serve their community with the utmost professionalism in alignment with the law.