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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 165-05
April 29, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND CORRECTION COMMISSIONER MARTIN F. HORN PRESIDE OVER GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 86 NEW CORRECTION OFFICERS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn and Chief of Department Robert N. Davoren today presided over a graduation ceremony for 86 new probationary Correction Officers. The Mayor was also joined by Norman Seabrook, President of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association. Today's ceremony is the second graduation ceremony of Correction Officers this month. On April 1st, 196 new Correction Officers were sworn into the Department. Today's ceremony was held at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.

"Today we welcome another 86 new officers into the ranks of New York's Boldest," said Mayor Bloomberg. "New York City has a model prison system thanks to the hard work and dedication of a department that has accomplished an astounding 96% reduction in violent incidents over the last 10 years. I congratulate today's graduates and thank them for answering the call to keep our jails and our City healthy and safe."

"Being a New York City Correction Officer can be a demanding and dangerous job, yet every day, the men and women of this Department serve with pride, professionalism and integrity," said Commissioner Horn. "Today, we welcome 86 new Officers to our proud ranks. They have received the best correctional training in the country and I am confident they are well prepared for the challenges ahead."

The class valedictorian was Correction Officer Odessa Bidaisee, who graduated with a 97.6% grade average. Each of the probationary Correction Officers completed a 15-week training curriculum at the New York City Correction Academy in Middle Village, Queens, which included training in security, use of force techniques, constitutional law, chemical agents, physical training, communication skills, investigation procedures, first aid and health. The graduates will be assigned to various facilities on Rikers Island, with most assuming their new positions beginning on the midnight tour this Sunday.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler/Robert Lawson   (212) 788-2958

Tom Antenen   (Department of Correction)
(212) 266-1414




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