Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999

Release #060-99

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


MAYOR GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER SAFIR OFFICIATE AT
GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 689 NEW POLICE OFFICERS

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today presided over the graduation of 689 new members of the New York City Police Department at a ceremony held at St. John's University in Queens. Today's graduates will be assigned to the Transit Division, Housing and Patrol Service Bureaus citywide, where they will work to reduce crime even beyond the 51 percent decline in overall crime since 1993.

"Today, you become members of the New York City Police Department, the finest police department in the world, " Mayor Giuliani said. "To be a New York City police officer is a noble calling and a great responsibility reserved only for those who hold themselves to the highest standard of integrity. You are now part of a family of more than 40,000 men and women who are charged with safeguarding the well-being of seven and a half million people.

"Thanks to the work of this Department - the work of the men and women who will be your partners, mentors, commanding officers, and colleagues - and the thousands of civic-minded New Yorkers who strive to create safe communities, overall crime is down 50 percent from 1993 and homicide is down 70 percent. New York City is, according to the F.B.I., the safest large city in America. More than 4,500 people are alive today who wouldn't have been had the murder rate in 1993 remained constant," the Mayor continued.

"Each of you has a tremendous responsibility, because the City has put its trust in you. I know you will live up to that responsibility by doing your work not only to the best of your ability, but to the highest standards of this Department, and to the highest standards of the people of the City of New York."

Police Commissioner Howard Safir, reflecting on the tragic death of Police Officer Matthew Dziergowski last weekend, told the graduating class, "For the second time in recent memory, we bid farewell to a brother officer who was recently killed in the line of duty on the same day we welcome new police officers into our ranks. The loss of Officer Matthew Dziergowski is a reminder of the great sacrifices our members are sometimes called upon to make to protect the lives of their fellow officers and the lives of the people of this City."

Today's graduating class entered the Police Academy on June 1, 1998. The 590 men and 99 women of the graduating class responded to 5,069 radio calls, made 527 arrests, including 116 felony arrests, and issued 10,486 summonses while in field training.

Several outstanding graduates were also recognized at the ceremony. Kenyon Legget 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 Matthew Slear. The Chief of Personnel Award for the highest physical achievement while in training was awarded to Kevin Wilson.

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