The action they see in the their unit, the rookies say, helps make up for a lack of practical academy training.

Following the recruits' academy training, graduates are sworn in as law enforcement officers and assigned to one of four divisions to begin their careers.

The team reduced academy training to 16 weeks, and eventually 8 weeks.

In addition to police academics, the recruits must successfully complete a basic Spanish language program which is taught throughout the academy training.

Recently, he was forced to discontinue the program because of a state requirement that all police officers, including part-timers, be given academy training.

Many drop out along the way, but once the applicants complete the academy training, they become eligible for firefighting jobs.

And without prosecution, the academy training is virtually meaningless.

Other police units, including the special and border police have also received some academy training.

Education and military academy training thus became criteria for promotion, in addition to seniority, performance, and experience.

They will begin their academy training in mid-February, he said.