Windsor Police Service took another step towards filling its ranks Thursday night.
Twelve new recruits and six experienced officers were welcomed to the force at a badge ceremony at the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury and Police Training Centre in west-Windsor.
Back in October of last year Chief Al Frederick said Windsor police is facing a challenge "finding good quality candidates" but the force can't lower its standards. Since then 17 new officers were sworn in just after the new year to go along with 18 Thursday night.
Constable Talya Natyshak says 35 new officers are going to make a huge difference in the community.
"That is a very large group of officers that are hitting the road very shortly if not already," she says.
The event is formal, but there were also some tender and funny moments, with many veteran officers on hand to present their own child with their first badge.
Natyshak tells AM800 News the ceremony is meant to be a reward for hard work.
"The new recruits went through a long training process up at the Police College and it's a time to celebrate them and their hard work, and for their families to celebrate along with them."
She says the more experienced officers will hit the ground running after learning the ropes here in Windsor.
"Teaching them some basic things that we may do a little bit differently in Windsor, but they're ready to hit the road and that's a great thing," added Natyshak.
Many of the new officers expressed local ties to Windsor-Essex. Most of the veteran recruits returned to the area after leaving to police in other communities.