Phillip learned his 11 years of satisfactory teachings August 2015 drastic to become a police officer Career when he decided to make a change and shocked his friends and family.
Her decision comes amid growing concerns over police tactics following numerous deaths by unarmed black male police officers across the country.
Philip wants to be an example to those who have never dealt with a black law enforcement officer. "If I can have a positive experience with someone and help them change their minds, why not do it," she said. Phillip, a black woman who grew up in a mostly white, middle-class neighborhood 30 miles east of Los Angeles, was not motivated by race, she said. But now that she's completed her training to become a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy, her race is her motivation.
"Everything that's going on makes me work a little harder," the 36-year-old said during a break at his academy during rigorous training for the department.
Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Renata trains with Steve Erickson during a defense tactics class at the Viskailes Regional Training Center in Monterey Park, Calif., July 29, 2016. Philip
Black Police Recruit
Phillip listens to a lecture in his classroom at his Biscailuz Regional Training Center in his park, Monterey, California, July 19, 2016.
More than half of recruits are male, mostly white or Hispanic. Only three out of 100 recruits will graduate, said Capt. Scott Gage, who oversees training at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
In 2013, approximately 12% of all police forces were black officers, with the latest national statistics available. This equates to her 13.2% of the overall black population.
Departments have long struggled to recruit black candidates, according to Nelson Lim, a researcher at Rand, which helps organizations diversify. The LAPD builds on federal consent orders to hire more minorities.
Black Police Recruit
Just over a year ago, Asia Hardy was training to become a police officer with the LAPD in the same position as Phillip.
Raised in an idyllic and close-knit neighborhood of Pasadena, her 26-year-old has served as a probation officer for just over a year, and in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods, she's is working as requested. in Los Angeles.
She said Philip should expect both criticism and pride on the street. "Sometimes called sold out," she said. Some say to her, "Why is she doing a white man's job?" Others see Hardy as a beacon. She wanted to be a role model police officer for other blacks.
"They'll say, 'We're glad you're here to represent us,'" she said. "Or a little girl points to you and says, 'Hey mom, there's a girl cop.' That kind of makes my day fun. Tell that little girl if you want Just know that when you grow up you can be a cop.
Hardy plays with her 4-year-old daughter, Mari Hudson, outside her home in Altadena, Calif., Aug. 11, 2016.
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Black Police Recruit
Days after sniper attack Dallas Police Chief David Brown, after killing five cops last month, has quit protesting blacks and joined the police force for change from within.
"Serve your community," said Brown, who is black. "We are hiring. Get off that protest line and submit your application."
Defense at Biskailes Regional Training Center, Monterey Park, Calif., July 29, 2016. Phillip (above) trains with Robert Nichols in a tactics class.
Black Police Recruit
Philip took a teaching position at Ganesha High School in Pomona, a middle-class city near her hometown of Diamond Bar, but far from gangs and violent crime. away
She found herself spending more and more time outside her classroom solving problems for her students, which she enjoyed, She decided to become an officer.
Phillip sits in a sheriff's car during training at her Biskailes Regional Training Center in Monterey, Calif., July 19, 2016.
Black Police Recruit
Philip's school lost a friend to gang violence. He began his act by disrupting classes, getting hooked on drugs, and getting into trouble. She worked to gain his trust and build a rapport, eventually finding out what was bothering him and being able to help him transfer to another school. rice field. This change freed him from negative influences and allowed him to focus on school.
Philippe sits waiting for training to begin July 19, 2016 at Viskailes Her Regional Training Center in Her Park, Monterey, Calif.
Negro police recruits
Don't let someone else decide what to do and what not to do," Philip said. "I thought, 'I need to spend more time doing this.'"
Black Police Recruit
Phillip held a defensive tactics class at his Biscailuz Regional Training Center in Monterey, Calif. on July 29, David Pascual, Left, training with Robert Nichols. , 2016.
Negro police recruits
Capt. Scott Gage, who is in charge of training at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said that only three of his one recruits in 100 He said he could graduate.
Philip listens to an instructor during a defensive tactics class at Viskailes His Regional Training Center in Monterey Park, Calif., July 29, 2016.
Black Police Recruit
Trainer Captain Gage cited extensive background checks, rigorous physical examinations, and rigorous physical examinations as reasons why many recruits fail to pass the program. requirements, dozens of tests, and a determination to stick to the one-year process.
Philippe pauses to pose for his picture July 19, 2016 at Viskailes His Regional Training Center in Monterey Park, California.
Negro police recruits
Phillip wants to be a role model for those who have never dealt with a black law enforcement officer. "If I can have a positive experience with someone and help them change their minds, why not?" she said.
Philip listens to Recruit Training Officer Sean Essex at the Biskailes Regional Training Center in Monterey Park, California, July 19, 2016.
Negro police recruits
Phillip's mother worked as an accountant and her father worked as an accountant. as an engineer. When Philip told her family about her decision to join law enforcement, she burst into tears.
"My heart really sank," said Gloria Solomon, Philip's mother. "Honestly, this is a terrible thing to say as a mother, but I wish she hadn't gotten over it."
Instead, he said he was concerned simply because police are a dangerous job.
After she prayed about it and seeing how passionate her daughter was about law enforcement, Solomon said she was now fully involved.
"I'm really proud of her and I really want her to be safe," she said.
Philippe draws his weapon during training at his Regional His Training Center at Viskailes His Park in Monterey, Calif., July 19, 2016.
Become a police officer
“I knew there were a lot of African Americans living there. I think," she said. "They saw me there and knew, 'Wow, there's a female cop going.' A black female cop. I wanted to be that role model.
Philip also hopes to work in troubled areas.
"If I can't put myself in a position to actually make a difference, what am I doing?" she said. "I hope somewhere there's an opportunity to change someone's mind. Someone standing in the news protesting will one day see me on the street and say, 'Maybe I can do that.' I hope you will say. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.