Recruits eager to become Dallas police officers, despite recent attacks

Hundreds of people have applied to join the force since the ambush on Dallas police — accepting the challenge of Police Chief David Brown.

Since July 7, the Dallas Police has seen a 344 percent increase in applications. Dozens of the applicants were already in the Dallas Police Academy. Some of them are preparing to graduate.

Shiloh Sams is learning to be a police officer. The 21-year old just moved to the North Texas to start the Dallas Police academy when the police ambush happened.

“My mom was still here with me when the shooting happened, the day the academy started,” he explained. “So she was still here helping me move in, she was watching it unfold and she was like, ‘Is this really what you want to do?’ Yes! Yes, it is!”

Sams said despite the recent attacks on police, he doesn’t have any second thoughts about becoming an officer.

Something inside just told me it’s what I’m here to do,” he said. “It’s what I’m meant to do.”

It was a sentiment shared by Lamonte Shepard, who was also recruited by the Dallas Police Department and will graduate August 19. He shared his own negative experience with police while he a high school student at a swimming party.

“They came and they kind of singled me out. Why? I’m not sure. And there was some things said to me that were inappropriate,” Shepard explained.I’m not sure why it’s all racially charged, but it’s a sad thing to see how we're turning against each other when we're all humans.”

“I try to empathize with them. Obviously, I’m a small white female. So it’s kind of hard to put myself in their shoes. But I do the best. I can to try to see things from all angles,” Sams said. “Our country needs to be unified. We need to find a way to become one. We're all human beings, and we all deserve to be treated equally.”

Academy officials say out the 100 Dallas police recruits, none of them dropped out after the attacks.