HILO — Hawaii County police recognized the 12 members of its 76th recuriting class Wednesday during ceremonies at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The recruits, who just completed six months of training, will now undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.

During the luncheon ceremony, Chief Harry S. Kubojiri read the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and issued the reaffirmation oath to the recruits.

Recruit class president John Balberde said the members started their training as individuals but are now part of the same team. "Remember this day," he said. "You worked hard for it."

The keynote speaker, Deputy Prosecutor Ricky Roy Damerville, told the recruits they have the second-best job on the island and he has the best.

"You do all the heavy lifting," he said. "I stand up in court and say, 'Try to beat me,' and the newspapers quote me and not you."

Three recruits were recognized for their excellence in training — Jonathan C. Reece, in academics, Joseph D. Thorpe, in firearms, and Terence S. Ignacio, in physical fitness.