Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2000

Release #411-00

 
Contact: Mike Anton/Julie Caudell (212) 788-2958
  Tom Antenen (212) 374-6700 (NYPD)

MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KERIK OFFICIATE
AT GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 1,368 NEW POLICE OFFICERS

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik today presided over the graduation ceremony of 1,368 new members of the New York City Police Department at Madison Square Garden. A number of today's graduates are carrying on a family tradition by joining the New York City Police Department, while still others are embarking on second or third careers. Among the members of the October 2000 class are former members of the military, nurses, EMTs, a commercial helicopter pilot, a chiropractor, a psychologist and an electrician.

"As Police Officers, you will be - in the most fundamental sense - civil rights workers," said Mayor Giuliani. "You will be the guardians of your City's hopes and dreams. It is your turn to lead. You will be the heroes of tomorrow. Your fellow New Yorkers will look to you, not only to preserve the peace, but to provide a personal example of excellence and integrity. It is an expectation that I know you will do your best to meet and exceed."

"And so on behalf of a grateful and admiring City, I congratulate you on your graduation from the academy and your formal entry into the ranks of the greatest law enforcement agency in the world - New York's Finest - the New York City Police Department," continued Mayor Giuliani

"This ceremony marks another important chapter in the great history of the New York City Police Department," said Commissioner Kerik. "Today we cerebrate eight months of hard work and intensive preparation on the part of our graduates, who stand ready to begin one of the world's most demanding careers. Tomorrow these newest members of New York's Finest will head out to the streets of New York City and pursue the challenge of making the safest City in America even safer. The diversity of this class and the commitment they have already demonstrated will greatly assist the NYPD as it strives to meet the needs of all the communities of New York City."

Today's graduating class entered the Police Academy in March of 2000. Several outstanding graduates were recognized at the ceremony. John Aspinwall 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 Benjamin Graham. The Chief of Personnel Award for the highest physical achievement while in training was awarded to Lary Ruiz.

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 beyond the 57 percent decline in overall crime since 1993. 44.4% of these graduates are members of minority groups, compared with 32.7% of the last graduating class. As part of the Department's continuing cultural diversity training, this is the first class to receive cultural field trips.

 

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