In recent months, the Selma Police Department has changed the way it has recruited and restructured staff to become more proactive in filling open spots within the department.

Friday, Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said those efforts are paying off as another five officers were sworn in.

“And we’re not through. We should be right back here in a few weeks welcoming a few more on to the force,” Riley said.

During Friday’s ceremony, Riley called on the new officers to treat those they serve the way they would want to be treated and to respect the career they have chosen.

“For a few of us here, we have had the chance to do this for going on 30 years or more,” Riley said. “It is a great career and you have a tremendous opportunity.”

Tony Buford, Terry Office, William Pasley Oscar Pettway and Mario Rose were each sworn in and will now be assigned to training officers as they begin their patrols in Selma.

“Always tell the truth,” Riley told the new officers. “We must be able to believe you, to trust you. A judge has to be able to trust the information, the evidence that you are providing. It’s so important.”

The department, over the past years, has had to deal with a number of retirements and departures of experienced officers, which had led to lower force numbers.

Riley’s goal is to get the force above 60 as soon as possible, allowing for more flexibility in the department’s ability to patrol.