They’re described as strong character hires with trained skills.

Acting Chief Michael Aguilar of the Manteca Police Department said just that of Ezequiel Diaz, Carlos Gutierrez, David Poel, Beau Riley and Ryan Smith at Thursday’s Swearing in Ceremony in the Council Chambers.

Acting City Clerk Cassandra Candini-Tilton administered the oath of office to the four new police officers and an additional community services officer hires.

“We have (the Swearing in Ceremony) twice a year,” Aguilar said.

A few were familiar faces.

Aguilar remembered Diaz, who is the newest Community Services Officer, from his days an Explorer.

That’s the MPD program for those between the ages of 14 through 20 with an interest in a career in Law Enforcement.

“I saw his dedication and passion for law enforcement back then,” Aguilar said of Diaz, who has a degree in Criminal Justice from Stanislaus State.

Smith, who also has a degree from Stanislaus State, was one of the four of the new officers. He was a dispatcher for local police in 2012 and attended the San Joaquin Delta Police Academy.

Riley is also a product of the San Joaquin Delta Police Academy. He attended Arizona State and spent 4 ½ years on the Milpitas Police Department SWAT force.

“His boss in Milpitas said ‘hey, you’re getting a rock star,” Aguilar said.

Gutierrez spent the past five years with the Ripon Police Department as part of the SWAT team. He, too is a product of the San Joaquin Delta Police Academy, according to Aguilar.

The 6-foot-7 Poel towers over the new hires. He was previously at the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, where he was also a K-9 handler.

Each of the newly-sworn officers were also recognized by the office of State Assemblyman Heath Flora. District Representative Jason Laughlin was on hand for the acknowledgments.