The training has begun! The Bossier Sheriff's Office says 26 recruits from various agencies have started their 12-week training course to become Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)-certified law enforcement officers.

The academy is operated by Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington and the sheriff's office. Recruits will train in a variety of areas, including officer survival skills, legal issues, weapons qualifications, chemical weapons and much more.

"We do everything humanly possible to prepare these recruits for an outstanding performance in a dangerous, stressful job," Whittington said. "Graduation from the P.O.S.T. course is only the beginning. Today's law officer continues training throughout his career, to face new challenges, such as terrorist threats and active shooters. This isn't Mayberry."

The Academy is formerly known as the North Louisiana Criminal Justice Academy. Class 016 is the first group to be trained under the new academy name.

Take a look at video from the recruits' first day:

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