Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #065-00
Tuesday, February 22, 2000

Release #065-00

Contact: Sunny Mindel /Matthew Higgins (212) 788-2958
  Marilyn Mode (212) 374-6700 (NYPD)

 


MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER SAFIR OFFICIATE AT
GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 1,224 NEW POLICE OFFICERS

Remarks By Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani At Public Hearing On Local Laws

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today presided over the graduation of 1,224 new members of the New York City Police Department at a Madison Square Garden ceremony. A number of today's graduates are carrying on a proud family tradition by joining the New York City Police Department, while still others are embarking on second or third careers. A pilot, a scuba diver, a registered nurse, an attorney, a helicopter mechanic and some 50 Correction Officers are among today's graduates. More than 36 percent of the graduates hold a Bachelors Degree or higher; fourteen hold a Masters Degree; six hold a Doctorate Degree; and more than 12 percent have served in the military.

"Serving in the New York City Police Department is not just a job, but a noble calling reserved only for those who commit themselves to the highest standard of integrity," the Mayor said. "Today's graduates demonstrate how the NYPD attracts an incredibly diverse group of men and women, many of whom realized their true calling was in law enforcement only after enjoying distinguished careers in other professions. Despite their varied personal and professional backgrounds, they share a desire to safeguard the well-being of seven-and-a-half million people. They come to the job with an appreciation for its risks, and with the knowledge that the work is always demanding and sometimes dangerous. But they also understand that there are few things in life more personally rewarding than a career in public service."

The Mayor continued, "As the first graduating class of the new Millennium, these 1,224 men and women are charged with ushering in a new era in the NYPD, while building upon the unprecedented achievements the Department has accomplished in the last six years. The dedication of their fellow Officers has brought overall crime down to its lowest level in three decades, and New York City has been transformed into the safest large city in America. Now, it is their turn to challenge the Department to go further than ever before to reduce crime. I am confident they will prove deserving of their place among New York's Finest and maintain the Department's reputation as the best Police Department in the nation."

Police Commissioner Howard Safir said, "Today is a great day for the NYPD and the City of New York, as 1,224 new officers join the ranks of the best police department in the world. The Police Department will be counting on our newest members to help us deliver yet another year of substantial crime declines in this City-declines that have made New York the safest large City in America. After seven months of intensive classroom and field training, these officers are ready to begin the vital task of keeping our citizens and our streets free from crime and safe from harm."

Today's graduating class entered the Police Academy in July of 1999. Several outstanding graduates were recognized at the ceremony. Norman J. Peterson received the Mayor's Award, given to the graduate with the highest overall average. The Police Commissioner's Award for the highest academic average was awarded to Robert E. Burnell, Jr. The Chief of Personnel Award for the highest physical achievement while in training was awarded to John R. Tancredi.

Today's graduates will be assigned to the Transit Division, and to Housing and Patrol Service Bureaus citywide, where they will work to reduce crime even beyond the 55 percent decline in overall crime since 1993.

 

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