There was another first for James O'Neill as police commissioner Thursday. 

O'Neill presided over his first police academy graduation during a ceremony in College Point, Queens.

Eighty-seven students from the academy have now joined the ranks. 

Those NY1 spoke with say they're honored to become part of New York's Finest. 

"I have, you know, the utmost respect for this department, and it's just my loyalty to everybody here, to make them proud and to follow the footsteps of those in my family," said new NYPD officer Bianca Bennett.

"I have a great influence for my mother and my father, my father being still a member of the service and my mother being a retired domestic violence officer. They influenced me my whole life," said new NYPD officer Tiana Giantasio.

The rookie officers will now hit the streets.

Eight of the new officers are from the Virgin Islands.