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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 085-07
March 22, 2007

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND CORRECTION COMMISSIONER HORN PRESIDE OVER GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 121 NEW CORRECTION OFFICERS

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Correction Commissioner Martin F. Horn today presided over a graduation ceremony for 121 new Probationary Correction Officers. The Mayor was also joined by Chief of Department Carolyn Thomas and Norman Seabrook, President of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association. The ceremony took place at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

"With the continued decrease in crime, we are able to reduce both the overall size of our jails system, and our reliance on Rikers Island. We are continually working to make our jails system safe and secure, and today's class of 121 new Boldest recruits are an integral part in the process," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "Part of this plan includes also includes moving inmates closer to their home communities and to programs and services that can help them."

"With Mayor Bloomberg's support, we have made our jails more secure and safer for the benefit of our inmates, our officers and the public.  We are also leading the nation in efforts to make the system more progressive, providing more support and counseling than ever before to inmates about to be returned to the community," said Commissioner Horn.  "I welcome this latest class of new correction officers into our jails and to the important and honorable work they do to protect all of us."

Among the graduates, 21 members currently have or have had a family member on the job and 14 have previously served in the military.  The class valedictorian was Correction Officer Peter Cangro, and class salutatorian, Correction Officer Lai Wah Kwong.  Each of the probationary Correction Officers completed a 15-week training curriculum at the New York City Training Academy in Middle Village, Queens, including 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 starting this weekend.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Dawn Walker   (212) 788-2958

Stephen Morello   (Correction)
(212) 266-1055




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