CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Charlottesville Police Department is welcoming its largest and most diverse recruit class yet.

On July 5th, 14 recruits will be sent to training academy. This is the first class the department has sent made up of mostly minorities.

In a statement, Chief Michael Kochis said, "This group of officers should be proud to have made it through a very thorough hiring process. We are hiring the best and brightest of those who want to serve the Charlottesville Community."