The Suffolk Police Department swore in 11 new officers during a Thursday morning ceremony at City Hall.

“I am very prejudiced — there is no better department anywhere,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson said of the Suffolk Police Department.

Family and friends of the officers gathered to watch their loved ones take the oath of office, which was administered by Circuit Court Clerk Randy Carter. A person chosen by each officer was invited to pin the badge.

The recruits received words of encouragement from Deputy Chief Steve Patterson.

“You have got to have steady truth,” Patterson said. “Above all, keep your integrity.”

Patterson said the recruits now face six weeks of “post-academy” training, where they learn what it’s like to police in Suffolk. Following that will be 12 weeks of training with several different field training officers.

The new officers are James Capehart, Kyle Gosney, Janel Farmer, Kyle Hall, Corey Hubbard, Paul Powell, William Price, Matthew Schilling, Andrew Shaffer, Trevor Tello and Kyle Valois.