MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER SAFIR CELEBRATE AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today presided over a Police Department ceremony at One Police Plaza celebrating African American heritage and the community's contributions to the New York City Police Department. Joining the Mayor and Police Commissioner at this afternoon's ceremony were Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs Yolanda Jimenez, Rev. A.R. Bernard of the New York Life Center, Jacqueline Parris, President of the Guardians Association, and members of the Police Department.
"I'm very proud to join you here today in honor of the contributions and achievements that the African American community has made throughout the history of the Police Department," Mayor Giuliani said. "Wiley Overton was one of many brave pioneers to risk personal sacrifice in order to break through racial barriers. Officer Overton joined the force on March 6, 1891, becoming the first African American member of Brooklyn's Police Department. Tragically, Officer Overton was the victim of racism from his fellow officers and civilians during his time on the beat. Although it was a sad chapter in our history, his sacrifice opened the door for other African Americans to become officers, so that the NYPD would eventually become the finest unified police force in the country. The current class at the Police Academy is 42 percent minority and 70 percent of its members reside in the City. I believe Wiley Overton would be very, very proud of today's NYPD."
"Maya Angelou once wrote that 'no man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place,'" Commissioner Safir said. "As police officers in what is the greatest and most diverse city in the world, we have a particular duty to learn as much as we can about the history of all Americans. Only with the understanding that comes from knowledge can we deliver police services with Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect. I want to thank the Guardians Association for the hard work that went into today's celebration. I know that today's program will serve to educate and inspire all of us no matter what our individual backgrounds are."
The theme of this year's annual celebration is "In the Spirit of Duty, Faith and Hope." Today's event featured a musical presentation, "And I Still Rise," performed by the members the Creative Arts Department of the New York Christian Life Center, under the leadership of Rev. Bernard, Elder William Pointer and retired Police Sergeant Steve Duncanson. Joining in the performance will be members of the Guardians Ensemble, under the leadership of Sergeant Cynthia Clark-Owens.
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