The city of Poughkeepsie swore in a new class of police officers on Friday.

A total of seven men became the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department's newest hires.

The department says it's a big day for the community because the new members will help address the uptick in gun violence of the last year.

"When your force is down by 12 members, and we're trying to just meet minimums and actually doing more reactive policing to what's occurring in the community. This at least helps bolster us, where some other resources can be dedicated towards actual evidence-based policing and focusing on the crimes that are occurring," City of Poughkeepsie Police Cpt. Richard Wilson.

The four who transferred in are already out on patrol. The remaining three will begin training Tuesday before officially hitting their beat.

Friday's ceremony also promoted 10 other officers to detectives and sergeants.