Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today administered the oath of office to 800 New York City Police Cadets at a swearing-in ceremony at Queens College. The new class will begin an intensive seven-month training program at the Police Academy.
Addressing the recruits for the first time, Mayor Giuliani said, "Today, you take the first step toward becoming New York City Police Officers - members of the finest, best trained, best equipped, most restrained and most professional police force in the nation. Your decision to join the New York City Police Department has given you an awesome responsibility -- the honorable defense of your fellow citizens. The Department's CPR program will teach you that courtesy, professionalism and respect must be at the root of every interaction you have with the public. And you must also remember that your allegiance to the law must supersede your allegiance to your fellow officers no matter how close those bonds may become. At the same time, we will do our best to remind all New Yorkers what should be obvious -- that respect is a two way street. You are entitled to the support of the citizens you protect.
"In the oath of office you took today, you swore to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of New York," the Mayor continued. "On the eve of this nation's birthday, the deep significance of this oath should be especially resonant. It means from this day forward you will take on tremendous responsibilities to enable the people of the City to live freely and independently. It means that you will live your life with fidelity to the law in return for the responsibilities of this authority. It means that you will be an example of the best and the brightest and most honorable that our country and wonderful City has to offer.
"Today, New York City is the safest large city in the nation and we continue to set new records for declines in murder and other serious crimes. Two days ago, the Police Commissioner and I announced that the number of homicides has dropped to the lowest level since 1966 -- falling 69 percent since 1993. This is the result of excellent police work. When you complete your training you will be called on to build on the tremendous record of success that your fellow members of the New York City Police Department have worked so hard to achieve.
"Every step of the way, with every action you take, you will be representing the pride and the history of this Department. The City of New York is putting a sacred trust in you and I know that we will always be proud of you and the job that you do. Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 1998, on behalf of the City of New York I wish you the best of luck," the Mayor concluded.
Police Commissioner Safir said, "As recruit police officers, you are about to undertake a challenge that will have an impact on virtually every part of your lives. Each of you here today is being given the opportunity to be part of a long and honored tradition. In the weeks ahead, you will be taught many things, but one of the most important is summed up in three words: Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect or CPR. You will be expected to treat every citizen as you would want to be treated. You must be able to work with people of all ages and backgrounds to reduce conflict and find creative solutions -- always in a professional manner."
On Wednesday, Mayor Giuliani announced that overall crime for the first six months of 1998 has decreased by 49.3 percent and homicides by 69.3 percent citywide when compared to the same period in 1993. Preliminary figures for the first half of 1998 also show that crime fell by 9.7 percent compared to last year and that the murder rate for the first half of 1998 is at a 32-year low and has declined 24.7 percent since 1997.
The Mayor and Police Commissioner presided over the graduation of 1,029 new members of the New York City Police Department at a ceremony held last Monday at Madison Square Garden.