The Selma Police Department gained two new officers on Tuesday after Interim Chief Jimmy Martin performed his first swearing-in ceremony.

Rookie officers Kendall Thomas and Michael Hardy were sworn in yesterday morning in the chief’s office as their wives looked on.

Martin said the new recruits bring the total number of officers on the force to 55.

Martin said both men will begin their careers at the SPD in the Patrol Division on the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift.

Thomas, 27, said becoming a police officer was “my calling.”

“I want to try to protect and serve and try to make a difference in the community,” he said.

Thomas said this would be his first year working as a police officer.

Hardy, on the other hand, has served as an officer in Marion since September of 2004.

The 27-year-old said he is following in the footsteps of his brother, who is also a police officer.

“It was something I always wanted to do,” Hardy said.

Municipal Judge Valerie Chittom was invited to hold the Bible during the ceremony, and afterwards Martin gave the officers’ wives the honor of pinning the badges.

Martin said he hoped the two new officers would become an integral part of the city’s police force.

The two officers will begin their shifts this week.