The Tulsa Police Department held the graduation ceremony for its newest academy Thursday morning, but it was a lot different of course.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the new officers had to stand 6 feet apart as they walked up to get their badges.

And friends and family could only watch online.

“These are strange times that we're in,” said Chief Wendell Franklin in his speech to the cadets. “We are in the midst of a pandemic, and the work does not stop just because of that, for us.”

Academy class 117 includes 27 new officers, including one fire investigator.