The city of Paterson welcomed 18 new recruits to the police department on Wednesday afternoon.

The newest group took their oaths inside City Hall. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh called this class of police recruits the most diverse in recent years.

Justin Taveras is one of those recruits and says he wants to serve as a role model for his community.

“I run a youth movement, and I'm all about change and helping the youth get out of the streets and distracting themselves with something different,” Taveras said. “This is the best way I am able to do that. I can help out my community out a little bit more.”

Most of the new police recruits met for the first time on Monday and will enter the academy on Friday. They are expected to graduate in June.