It's odd that high school kids would be willing, much less enthusiastic, about getting Tasered or having their arms twisted by police, but that's the case with 20 students enrolled in the Abbotsford Police Department Junior Police Academy.

The APD, in cooperation with Kiwanis International, Abbotsford Fish and Game Club and School District 34, runs the five-day academy during spring break in order to offer students interested in policing a realistic and intensive insight into a career in law enforcement.

To get into the academy students went through fairly rigorous entry requirements that included criminal and driving record checks, good academic records, references, an interview and questionnaire, and a fitness test.

MEI student Kaitlyn Neudorf said the effort was well worth the reward.

"I love it. It's really good and there's a lot of diversity in what we're doing," said the 17-year-old.

Neudorf was such a keener she volunteered to take a jolt from a Taser during a non-lethal weapons workshop on Tuesday.

"It was a really interesting experience, like a muscle spasm you get holding onto an electric fence. It didn't hurt; you have to experience it to understand it," she said, adding her parents knew what she was up to.

"I volunteered because if I had to use a Taser, I would want to know what [the suspect] was experiencing . . . what they are going through."

The Grade 11 student said she's really enjoyed the range of activities the recruits have been offered, which include ride-alongs with officers, use of force and weapons training, legal studies, and talks from officers of various departments.

"I was shocked to learn all the stuff [about the drug squad]. The undercover person looks kinda like a hobo . . . it's really cool to learn about that stuff."

Abbotsford Collegiate student Gavi Mattu agreed.

The 17-year-old enjoyed hearing from different officers and members of the community such as Abbotsford Heat coach Jim Playfair.

"It's great they took time off their jobs to come talk to us about life and our careers," said Mattu.

"But other than that, I think the firearms training was probably the funnest. We got to use the shooting range; it was a great experience."

The Grade 12 student is unequivocal about wanting a career as a police officer after participating in the junior academy even though he's learned the job is more difficult than it looks.

"There's a lot of paperwork and it involves a lot of determination. It's a lot of hard work and it's not what the public thinks," he said.

"This [academy] made me more sure than ever I want to join [the APD]. It's neat how they work to make a difference in the community.

"There's a great camaraderie and they're a great team, and one day I'd like to be part of that team."