The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office is kicking off the new year with a clean slate - literally.

On Thursday and Friday, every employee of the Sheriff's Office met with Sheriff Troy Nehls and his new Command Staff members at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy. After receiving new credentials, each employee took a drug test as well.

"We wanted to come in and start with a clean slate," Nehls said. "This is not a challenge to anyone's professionalism; it's a message that the expectations and the professionalism levels have been raised at the Sheriff's Office."

Nehls was first in line Thursday to take the drug test, followed by each member of his Command Staff.

The Sheriff said taxpayers should not worry about the cost of the procedure because the tests were paid for through seized drug funds. No tax dollars were used.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office has 732 employees.