Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at NYPD Recruit Graduation Ceremony

January 7, 2025

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch: Good morning, officers. And good morning to everyone, especially the family and the friends of our newest police officers. Today's graduation is a moment of great pride. You've completed an academy which will prepare you to step into the ranks of the greatest law enforcement agency in the world. 

The NYPD has earned that honor over generations, and in our 180 years safeguarding the people of New York City, this department's greatness has never come from its executive ranks or from offices at One Police Plaza. It has always stemmed from the cops out on the front lines, doing the difficult, often dangerous work of policing our city. Cops like you. It's not an easy job by any means, but you are ready. 

Because that pull that brought you to the academy to pursue this career stems from an understanding that policing is not just a job, it's a calling, a noble undertaking. And it is the choice you made to serve that sets you apart. New Yorkers will call for you when they are in distress. They will seek you out when they are fearful and when they are worried. They will look for you when they are in danger. And when they see you pulling up to them in a squad car or patrolling a subway platform or train or walking a beat in their neighborhood, they'll breathe a little easier. And they will feel safer. Because they will know that help has arrived. This is what you've trained for over the past six months. Now you'll put that training to use in service to the people of New York City. And let me tell you, New Yorkers are thrilled to have you. 

What's more, more than 70 percent of you are New Yorkers yourselves. You come from the same neighborhoods you are protecting, and you represent the diversity of this city more than ever before. You speak 39 different languages, 145 of you were born in 35 different countries, and 58 of you either served or continue to serve in our country's armed forces. God bless you. You are a snapshot of our city, a reflection of all the people who make New York great. And through your choice to serve, you make it even greater. 

There is no work that is more important, but as you know, you won't do it alone. Your families sitting here today are your greatest supporters. They too are part of this journey. Parents, spouses, children, siblings, neighbors, who are no doubt bursting with pride today. But they also may be a bit nervous about the risks and the unknowns. So I deeply thank all of the family members and the friends of these new police officers for sharing their loved ones with the NYPD and with the City of New York. And I promise each of you that I will do everything in my power to support these new officers and to keep them safe, as I do for every NYPD officer in every command. 

It's fitting that we honor the sacrifice of the families of our cops because family tradition is woven into the fabric of your profession. For many on this job, an unbroken line of service across generations is a point of great pride. Children looked up to their parents and law enforcement as heroes and wanted to follow in their footsteps. And parents dreamt of passing their policing legacy on to their children, their grandchildren, and so on. These storied histories of service are central to this department. Stories like that of Police Officer Gabriella Kelly. Officer Kelly's great-great-grandfather joined the NYPD in 1896. He served the city with honor, and today, nearly 130 years later, his shield number has been passed down to another generation, pinned to the uniform of the newest member of the Kelly family to proudly serve New Yorkers. 

These are the stories that remind us of what makes our work so unique, the legacy of service that connects us all. You are all now the future of the NYPD and of this city, and I could not be prouder to welcome you to the greatest job in the greatest police department in the world. Thank you for answering the noble call to serve, for taking the solemn oath, and for choosing to make this city and this department stronger. Like the mayor, I am a person of great faith, so I would like to mark this consequential moment in your lives by offering each of you what in the Jewish tradition we call the Priestly Blessing. Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yeesh’m’reicha. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Yaer Adonai panav eleicha veechooneka. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Yeesa Adonai panav eleicha v’yasem l’cha shalom. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace. Please stay safe and congratulations again. Thank you very much.

Lieutenant Jack Conway, Ceremonial Unit, Police Department: Thank you, Commissioner Tisch. It's now my pleasure to introduce the mayor of the City of New York, the Honorable Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Where's David? So, you were standing in the audience. And raising the flag, and when I saw you, I thought of mommy. Back in 1984, when I was like David, and I walked in here and became a member of the New York City Police Department, and mommy worried about me as a child because I had a learning disability. And she used to tell me, baby, you're going to be all right. And when I became a member of this department, she sat there beaming with excitement, tears rolling down her eyes, and she realized that I was going to contribute to the City of New York. And this is just what it's all about, right here. Mommy and the country, folks. Mommy and the country. I love you. 

All the 36 different languages, 39 different countries, 625 of you. It doesn't matter what your country of origin [is], when you come to this country, you're part of the American experience. And that famous line, rockets red glare, bombs burst in the air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Our flag is going to be here because of you. It's because you have an obligation and responsibility to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

You have now become the home of the brave. It's your obligation to ensure that no matter who's the mayor, no matter who's the governor, no matter who's the president, that this flag continues to be here. And as long as we have mommies like you that will allow their sons to commit their lives to protecting us, we will always be a great country. 

There are days I wake up with a question mark, are we going to be alright? But when I saw you raising that flag, that question mark became an exclamation point. You're damn right we're going to be alright, because we're America. United States of America, and that's what we represent. So I thank you. I look forward to a promising career that your son will go from police officer to sergeant to lieutenant to captain to chief, and then one day becoming the mayor of the City of New York. Congratulations class. Let's make sure we continue to be the greatest city on the globe. Thank you.

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