Suffolk has nine new police officers after a badge-pinning ceremony in which the five men and four women took their oath of office Wednesday at the First Lady in downtown Suffolk.

The new officers represent the bright future of the Suffolk Police Department and the promise of continuing the compassionate and even-handed justice to which the department’s members aspire.

“There’s nothing more important for a police officer than your honesty and integrity,” Chief Thomas Bennett told the new officers during the ceremony. Holding those traits close will put the newest members of Suffolk’s Finest in good stead with their superiors and will help ensure they always have the trust and respect of the citizens they have sworn to protect and serve.

The new officers are Wilbur Dowd, Daniel Ferster, Christina Jaramillo, Elizabeth Kresse, Kelly Kuhns, Daniel Nesbitt, Amanda Sauer, Bruce Walker and Michael Wingate.

They were pinned by their family members after taking the oath of office.

We wish these nine officers safe shifts and long, rewarding careers. And we’re proud to have them protecting us.