MILWAUKEE COUNTY (CBS 58) -- A select few have become the newest members of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

On Thursday, Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt swore them in and handed them their new badges in his very first graduation ceremony.

Schmidt says he was part of the group who first hired these men and women into the program and is thankful for the opportunity to get more deputies on the force.

"The one thing I really appreciate is the County Board, as well as County Executive Abele, gave us five extra positions and we've actually hired another class already that's getting ready to go so I really appreciate their support in allowing us to keep our ranks filled and actually giving us a few more deputies this year."

Schmidt says the new deputies will get right to work keeping people safe.