Our local police academy is considered one of the top programs in the state.

It's highly respected for its intense academic and physical training.

For 16 weeks cadets face 12 hours of intense boot-camp and challenging academic obstacles.

On Monday we witnessed just one of the average days these recruits willingly go through.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," said Tairyce Allison, a Grand Junction recruit.

Blood, sweat, but no tears came with the martial arts class on Monday, as these cadets slowly work at 600 hours of mandatory training.

"It's a little bit overwhelming at times because the schedule is very demanding, but overall i can say it's the best experience I'm going to ever have," said Allison.

Officials with the program thank their academic standards for all the academy's success, as some officers study for their Associates or Bachelors degrees in Criminal Justice.

"It's a very highly academic rigorous program," said Academy Director, Bill Gardner.

"I don't think the average person understand how complex the job of being a peace officer is," said cadet, Andy Martsolf.

Recruits are constantly being put to the test both physically and mentally. today their learning defense tactics, ensuring that every officer makes it home safely at the end of every shift.

For some recruits the toughest obstacle is absorbing all the information in such little time, while others say, boot-camp is the worst part.

"The toughest challenge is the endurance... the emotional, psychological, academic endurance. it's like drinking out of a fire hose, they're getting so much information, today their doing martial arts, tomorrow I'll be teaching them Greek ethics,” said Gardner

Martsolf said, "For me the biggest challenge of this program is assimilating all of the subject matter that we're learning in such a short period of time. We're completing 37 semester hours of academic work, in what's basically one semester of college."

"I don't like Burpees, and that's the one that gets me the most, but overall I love our lieutenant for it," said Allison.

Despite these challenges cadets say, they're proud to be part of this highly respected academy.

"I want to walk away knowing I put my heart in sole in everything I've learned, so I just want to take this as one of the biggest learning experiences of my life," said Allison.

The academy has a 90% graduation rate and a 70% hiring rate within the first 12 months of graduating.

This batch of recruits, filled with students and military veterans, is set to graduate in early May.