ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Southern Tier streets will be a little safer now with the extra help from some recent graduates of the Elmira Police Academy. A dozen hard-working, young men and women received their diplomas after completing four months of training.

Cadets go through everything from classroom lessons on penal and criminal procedure law to hands-on training with Tazers, firearms and defensive tactics.

This year's class will be spread across several local police departments and sheriff's offices. One graduate will take on a role with the Alfred State University Police.

"Extremely responsible, extremely professional. We told the group at the beginning of the academy what was expected of them and they met that as a class. They did a great job policing themselves and made sure they took care of the responsibilities and then some," said Sgt. John Dunham, Elmira Police Academy Director.

The graduating recruits now have to complete 160 hours of field training within their departments.