VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Police Department has officially welcomed 10,000 new workers to the force -- worker bees, that is.

Two bee hives have moved into a community garden at police headquarters as part of a program involving a non-profit apiculture organization.

Three veiled beekeepers and a department employee ushered the buzzing hives through the lobby for their first day on the job.

The insects are the newest recruits joining the department's 2,000 employees and volunteers.

The hives will be funded and maintained by volunteers from the department and trained beekeepers from Hives for Humanity.

Sgt. Randy Fincham says there are many similarities between beekeeping and policing because if people treat each other with respect "nobody gets stung."