On a recent weekday afternoon, a group of 16 students from the Cal State Long Beach Criminal Justice Student Association gathered to hear from the “best agency” in the southland. At least that’s how the Santa Ana Police Department billed itself in a recruitment presentation at the university. “I say that seriously,” Deputy Chief Henry Esparza said of being the best. “Not just because we say it, but I hear it from others.” Like most agencies, the Santa Ana Police Department is competing for qualified recruits as departments nationwide report staff shortages and difficulties filling positions. Santa Ana has about…