The Basic Academy is a 26-week law enforcement academy. The recruits that are accepted into the academy are either hired by a law enforcement agency or selected as a “non-affiliated recruit” or student. A non-affiliated recruit is chosen by the Academy staff based upon the results of a written test and an oral interview. Once accepted into the Basic Academy, recruits are expected to perform at the standards set by the Academy staff. Recruits are given written exams on 42 learning domains throughout the 26 weeks. The learning domains cover subjects ranging from California laws to ethics and community relations. Any score below an 80% on these exams is considered a failing grade. The recruits are required to pass all of the written exams. Highly trained members of law enforcement organizations from around the Bay Area teach the tested material to the recruits. The instructors are experts in their field of instruction and offer on the job experience coupled with specialized training in the field. The instruction techniques include lecture, role-playing, and hands-on learning.