WORCESTER, Mass. - There’s 24 new police officers in Worcester. The City held its police academy graduation on Friday at Worcester Technical High School. 

“It was very tough. Long nights, long days. But everybody was pretty much like a family," graduating recruit Officer Michael Holder said. 

Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent says it's a family that has gone through a lot in the last year and a half. A pandemic, criminal justice reforms, and the loss of Officer Manny Familia in the line of duty. 

“You know they pushed through. They push through and I'm proud of them for that because it is tough," Chief Sargent said. 

Officer Holder says despite increased police scrutiny across the country his mind was set. He wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. 

“I always had this passion to help people out, especially the community," Officer Holder said. "I knew Worcester had great community policing."

Graduating recruit Officer Jafet Ortiz says he moved around the Worcester area a lot as a kid and both his parents are pastors. 

“It’s a calling my family wants to do. We want to help out," Officer Ortiz said.

Both say it’s important for the department to be diverse. Minority candidates who speak multiple languages made up​ about 30 percent of this class. 

“We need to mirror our community and our recruitment is, is very, very good and we could always do better," Chief Sargent said. 

Officer Ortiz has a message for others with diverse backgrounds who want to get involved in law enforcement.

“There's plenty of people in this class without college degrees. Plenty of people in this class without military backgrounds. We're standing here today, making a difference. Come and join us," Officer Ortiz said. 

As they start making a difference, the new officers say they have a role model in Officer Manny Familia to look up to.

“It's always someone we keep in our hearts," Officer Ortiz said