MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER SAFIR OFFICIATE AT GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 1,425 NEW POLICE OFFICERS
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today presided over the graduation of 1,425 new members of the New York City Police Department at a ceremony held in Madison Square Garden. Today's graduates are the first to have undergone special training in Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect (C.P.R.), designed to foster permanent partnerships between the Police Department and all of the communities of New York City.
"The career you have chosen is one of the most demanding, most challenging careers in the world, but it is also one of the most rewarding and most important as well," Mayor Giuliani said. "As you step into your new roles as probationary police officers, it is important that you apply the very important lessons you have learned at the Academy. The knowledge you have attained about police procedure, about conduct and about fighting crime is the foundation on which you will build long, safe and successful careers in the NYPD."
The Mayor continued, "Since 1993, New York City has seen serious crime reduced by nearly 40 percent, a figure which led the nation. And it is the hard working men and women of the NYPD who deserve the most credit. The Police Department has already proven that it is the best crime fighting force, now we are working to eliminate any fear and distrust that may still exist between the police and our communities. It is imperative that our officers respect and understand the communities they serve. I would like to congratulate all of the graduates and wish you the very best of luck in your careers with the NYPD."
"This is an exciting time to join our ranks," Commissioner Safir told the graduates. "Over the past three years, we have turned New York from being the crime capital to being the world's capital. Your job, and the challenge we all face, is to continue to drive down the crime rate until every neighborhood in New York City is safe for our residents to live in and safe for our children to play in."
In his State of the City Address, Mayor Giuliani made eliminating police misconduct a top priority for 1997. The CompStat program, a vital tool in the battle against crime, is now being used to promote respect and courtesy. "In the evaluation of performance, and in all decisions about advancement and promotion, a good record of respect and courtesy is just as important as a good record in reducing crime," the Mayor said.
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