A new police department has been created in Baja California to protect and serve tourism in the Tijuana-Rosarito-Ensenada corridor.

The new Metropolitan Police of Baja California will begin to operate April 1, during the spring break season.

A total of 22 Mexican agents received training and certification from the San Diego Police Department.

On Friday, Tijuana’s Mayor Jorge Ramos and his San Diego counterpart Jerry Sanders congratulated the agents at a graduation ceremony at San Diego Police Department headquarters.

“They were trained with the American view of how Americans would like to be treated by the police and that’s why our police officers came to train with this Police Department, which is undoubtedly the best one in the United States,” said Ramos.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders expressed full confidence in the success of this new effort, saying that training processes in the region can move beyond the borders and that both cities can work closely as a team.

“We know we have a big responsibility and commitment,” said Alejandro Güereña, a Tijuana police officer who spoke on behalf of the group. “For us it is an honor to be part of this first generation of the Metropolitan Police, partners, brothers of the San Diego Police, thanks for all your support.”

These police officers will train more bilingual agents south the border to complete a troop of 350 cops.