People really do love a good crime story. Mun2’s new bounty hunter reality series, Fugitivos de la ley: Los Angeles, has reached record ratings for the Latino-focused network. We’re talking three million-plus since January. The Sunday night docu-series follows a team of prominent bounty hunters trying to bring order to the mean streets of the City of Angels. These guys are the real deal, coming from all branches of law enforcement, even a K9 unit (Cooper).

We spoke to two crime-fighting stars of the show: Roman Morales, a former federal agent, and Roman “Bombero” de la Torre, a firefighter and reserve sheriff’s deputy.

What is the best part about your job?

Morales: The adrenaline rush of catching the bad guy.

De la Torre: The crew I work with. We work together, support each other, and we know we will be able to return home at the end of the day. That faith goes a long way.

The worst?

Morales: Dealing with abusers of children and women, and the idea that some of these people are repeat offenders. It’s a vicious cycle and they won’t learn unless something extreme is done to them.

De la Torre: The worst part of my job is the emotional impact felt from the family members who become aware that their loved one will have to go to jail for a while. It radiates throughout the team.

What is a typical workday like for you?

Morales: Usually following up leads, checking and verifying intel, connecting the dots and crossing the T’s.

De la Torre: A typical day for me involves waking up in the early morning and getting my seven meals ready, which usually involve oats, protein, fruit and water. Then hitting the gym for a nice, vascular pump! After I get to the team location, I review the fugitives that are to follow that day. Preparation is big in this job, we all double-check and triple-check our gear (maybe I’m getting old and forgetting, so I need to recheck).

What is one of the most stressful situations you have been in?

Morales: So far, just getting out of bed [laughs]. I haven’t actually had a most stressful yet, but probably dealing with day-to-day intense, dangerous cases.

What kind of person do you have to be to do your job?

Morales: You have to be a compassionate and fair individual: Think of how you’d like to be treated. Also being tough, fearless and courageous really helps.

Is it fun being on a show like this?

Morales: Yes, a lot of fun. I’m able to represent law enforcement; I swore an oath to protect and serve.

Why do you think people are so interested in this show?

De la Torre: Because of the cameras, the viewers have the best seat in the house and can understand the strategy we use to apprehend a fugitive.

Morales: Because of Bombero!!! [Laughs.] No, because of the action, because of the team, the variation of characters in each and everyone of us. We’re not Hollywood level [except Bombero]. We’re down-to-earth people who care and want to make a difference one bad guy at a time. We all have our own histories, pasts and paths that have been crossed to get to where we are in our lives. We relate to people. You can do what you need to succeed and do anything you set your mind to — no matter what barriers are set before you.

Madeleine Marr