Women are highly sought after for jobs in California law enforcement, but according to Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, many are not interested in becoming deputies because of misconceptions about the job.

Currently, women constitute 11 percent of the workforce of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the ABC article stated. However, fears about the perceived dangers of being a deputy, like personal safety, are stopping more women from signing up.

"In terms of getting more females into law enforcement, it's a struggle," Hutchens told ABC. "You're not in a fight every five minutes. Law enforcement is mostly about talking to people, and women are very good at communicating. The opportunities in this department are huge."

While more than 500 men are training at the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy in Tustin, only 50 recruits are women, according to ABC. The Sheriff's Department will be hiring for the first time in two years and the county is planning to reopen the Women's Central Jail, the article stated.

Deputy recruits at the training center must pass written tests and physical challenges like dragging 165 pounds for 45 feet, doing 30 push-ups and 30 sit-ups in less than five minutes and climbing a six-foot wall, ABC reported. They will then have to take a oral test, but the trainees who pass and become deputies are paid a beginning salary of more than $53,000.

Extensive background checks are also part of the process of becoming recruits. According to the ABC report, approximately 11 women and 230 men have made it to the oral testing round.

An October 9 blog post on the sheriff's department's website said the next test day for possible candidates looking to become recruits is October 20.