Criminal Justice students at the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus received a quick introduction to boot camp on Sept. 17.

With the assistance of the New York State Police and the New York Army National Guard, students in Gerald Place and Eric Smith’s Criminal Justice program performed a series of physical fitness tests that introduced them to the bootcamps all law enforcement careers begin with.

“This is really fun. I like it. It shows us where we are at and what we need to do,” said Braxton Byra, a senior from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

Troopers, including Technical Sergeant Curtis Rich and Joli Zhaka, and National Guardsmen, including Staff Sergeant Katelyn Evans, led students through the paces of marching, pushups, sitting and running.

“It’s a good event because it gets out here meeting students, showing what it takes and personalizes us,” said Evans.

Rich said the BOCES Criminal Justice program gives students an advantage.

“Students in this program 100% have an advantage because they have the desire and discipline. They just have to keep up,” he said.

Cohoes High School senior Cameran Messier-Ishak said the fitness day is beneficial to students.

“We get to get outside and test ourselves and see how we measure up,” he said.

There are approximately 100 students in the two-year Criminal Justice program. With the help of partners in law enforcement and higher education, Criminal Justice students learn about the history, theory, practices and recent developments in the field of criminal justice, as well as practice the skills necessary for those careers.