RALEIGH, N.C. — Thirteen men and women took the oath of office Tuesday to become the next generation of Wake County Sheriff's deputies. They are the first group to go through an academy under the direction of Sheriff Donnie Harrison.

Harrison, who has a long history with the Highway Patrol, has taken much of his ideas about law enforcement from that experience. He believes it is the most qualified class to ever graduate from the Wake County Sheriff's Academy.

"I think we're setting an example. We're showing what we're going to do and when people come to apply and they see the type of school we're running, the type of peopole that we're graduating. They're going to want to come even more," he said. "We've been blessed with a lot of applicants since I've been here."

Harrison said one big difference in the training is stressing discipline in the tradition of organizations like the Highway Patrol.

"Knowing that I could do the things that I did makes me feel better going out on the road knowing that I can do that," graduate Amber Israel said.

"We've increased the hours of training more. The training is a little bit more rigorous, more physical and intense," training director Lt. Terry Putman said.

The academy lasts six months. Students are required to take 900 hours of classes, which is up more than 100 hours from previous academies. The sheriff hopes to hold another academy in August.