HAZLETON -- Even before the police shootings in Louisiana and Dallas, police departments in the U.S. have struggled to find qualified officers.
Will the increased danger of police work push even more people away from law enforcement?
Seventeen cadets began training at Lackawanna College's police academy in Hazleton two weeks ago, and for the second time in 10 days, they passed the thin blue line flag, flying at half-staff outside the academy.
"It's definitely eye-opening and shocking."
Jessica Muccione of Stroudsburg and her fellow cadets returned to class the day after a gunman shot and killed three police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
It follows the ambush and murder of five law enforcement officers in Dallas. That happened on their first day at the academy.
"I wouldn't say I'm getting cold feet, but it's something you have to be aware about," said Kevin Torres of Bethlehem.
"You have to have that mindset that you are in it, and you have to commit to it. You're ready," Muccione added.
"I definitely want to prevent people like that from doing bad things and get them off the street," said Derek Sendrick of Mountain Top.
Cadets say those police killings in Dallas and Baton Rouge have not given them any second thoughts of a career in law enforcement. But for their parents, it's a little different.
Kevin Torres just had a talk with his mother.
"She's definitely concerned. She's worried, but she's confident in me. She trusts that I'm going to do the right thing."
But his father is a police officer, and his family understands.
So does Derek Sendrick's family, which includes relatives serving as state troopers in Delaware and New Jersey.
But Jessica Muccione is training to become the first cop in her family.
"They really don't understand my mind in being in it. So they'll ask me a couple of times if this is for sure that this is what I want to do, but either way, they're supportive."
When this class of cadets graduates in December, most expect to work as police officers for a local department. For most, it will fulfill a lifelong dream to serve at a time when service in law enforcement never seemed more dangerous.
