The Suffolk law enforcement family welcomed four new brothers in a Thursday ceremony.

Officers Norman W. Boring IV, Antonio P. Diggs, Jerry W. Fowler and Chad S. Hooker took the oath of office and received their badges in City Council chambers. They begin work today.

“Some of your most important training is going to start tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock,” Police Chief Thomas Bennett said.

Having completed general law enforcement training, the new officers now will spend five weeks learning about Suffolk-specific issues, departmental procedure and more.

Following that, each officer will be placed with a field training officer to begin patrolling.

“Your field training officer training is critical,” Bennett told the new recruits. “It’s a big difference from sitting in a classroom.”

Clerk of Circuit Court Randy Carter administered the oath of office to the new officers. Each officer’s badge was pinned by a member of his family.

“Today is another great day for our city,” City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn said. “We’re grateful for your decision to provide service to this wonderful city.”

Bennett provided four pieces of advice to the new officers. Most important, he said, was always to be honest.

“When you testify, that judge has to know that every word coming out of your mouth is the truth,” Bennett said. “If you have trouble with the truth, you’re not going to be a police officer very long.”

Bennett also encouraged the officers to do their best, to learn from their mistakes and to go after their goals.

“Never stop learning,” he said. “In our line of work, laws are changing all the time. You have to be a continual learner.”

Finally, Bennett urged the officers to find and embrace their policing style. Some officers are better working with children, he said, while others might be more suited to detective work, bicycle patrol or having a canine partner.

“We all have a little bit different style,” he said.