Transcript: Mayor de Blasio, Police Commissioner O'Neill Deliver Remarks at the NYPD Graduation Ceremony

July 2, 2019

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Everybody, this graduation is a very special one for many reasons. I just want to say upfront, the man who just introduced me, Lieutenant Tony Giorgio, has presided over joyous occasions like this and some of the most somber and difficult occasions the NYPD has known as well, and he has served this department so well for so long. This is his last graduation. Will you join me in saluting Tony Giorgio for all he has done for this city?

[Applause]

And before we talk about this joyous day, I want also say from not only the bottom of my heart, but I think all 8.6 million New Yorkers are in mourning today. Detective Luis Alvarez showed us courage of the highest order. He went to Washington and he spoke a truth he should not have had to speak, telling the members of the Senate and the House that they simply had to take care of all our first responders who served at 9/11 and the recovery after. I don’t know why we are still having this discussion in this country. It should have been decided long ago.

But our nation needs to be there for all the men and women who were at Ground Zero. Our nation needs to take care of those who took care of us. And Luis Alvarez spoke with the clearest, strongest voice no matter how much pain he was in. And if anyone in Washington has a heart, they should feel his voice right now. We have lost him after extraordinary service to this city and extraordinary service to his brothers and sisters who gave so much. But his voice will carry on. I want you to keep his family, all of his colleagues, all those who served us at Ground Zero in your thoughts and in your prayers. And do me one favor, Luis Alvarez is up in heaven now – give him a round of applause so he can hear up there.

[Applause]

I am the second person that gets to call you officers, so I’m going to say it and I’m going to say it with pride – congratulations, officers.

[Applause]

This City is a better place today because we welcome 425 new members of our police force.

[Applause]

And all of you are joining a winning team. And that is an incredible, incredible opportunity. A lot of you dreamed your whole life for this moment, and you worked hard for it, but you are not just joining any team, you are joining the best. You’re joining a champion team. And all of that hard work I guarantee you it was worth it. I know it wasn’t easy. I know there must have been moments that were really tough, moments of doubt, but you hung in there and that says a lot about each and every one of you, your character, your strength, your commitment, we expect the very best to make it to this moment and the very best have. But now let’s remember something. No one gets here alone. No one ever gets here alone. Your family, your friends, the people who supported you every step of the way, a lot of them are here, let’s – to all the family members – let’s give them a big round of applause, thank you everyone for making this day possible.

[Applause]

Now, when I say you have joined a winning team, it is now known throughout this nation that this is the safest big city in America and continues to get safer. The levels of crime in this city have gone down to the point that they were in the 1950’s. To put that in perspective, the Dodgers were playing at Ebbets Field and the Giants were playing at the Polo Grounds the last time crime was this low. That is a tribute to all the men and women of the NYPD to the leadership of the NYPD here, to Commissioner O’Neill, his whole team, and to so many community partners who have joined shoulder to shoulder with the NYPD. That is the moment that you join us for, this extraordinary moment.

But one thing you will quickly learn, there is no such thing as the NYPD resting on its laurels. 2018, the safest year we’ve ever known. 2019, this team is committed to making this city even safer. A true champion team is never satisfied with one championship, it wants the next one, and the next one, and the next one. That’s the team that you are joining and I’ll tell you, you’re going to feel it. You’re going to feel the pride right away and you’re going to feel that you’re having an opportunity to change people’s lives. It may be very soon in your time as an officer that you save a life. It may be very soon that you keep a family whole that would not be whole if it were not for your presence. It may be very soon that people’s futures will be changed because you were there at the right place at the right time.

It’s also important to understand that this police force has made extraordinary strides in deepening its connection to our neighborhoods. Neighborhood policing has worked and it’s allowed everyone to actually understand each other better. It’s allowed our community residents to get to know their officers and our officers to get to know the communities they serve and it’s making a world of difference. The trust is growing, the respect is growing, the appreciation is growing, that is the NYPD you are joining. And I have to tell you, you have a very sacred responsibility because what you are doing will affect not only the history of New York City but this whole nation. You are joining the premier police force in the nation. The eyes of the nation are on this place.

And this police force is showing our police officers every single day can make such a huge difference. You will be agents of change, you will be agents of healing because as we bring police and community closer together, we can get to a level of safety that we’ve never imagined and everyone benefits and we saw something amazing this last weekend. Five million people came here for World Pride. Five million people, and there was almost not a single incident. And what I saw was extraordinary efforts by the men and women of the NYPD to keep everyone safe and I saw the people who were here for the event showing their appreciation, applauding the members of the NYPD, thanking them for the extraordinary job they did. The professionalism that was on display these last days and every day is absolutely extraordinary and now you get to build upon it.

Now this class, this class comes from all over the world, this class represents the best of New York City. You hail from 28 different countries but everyone has one thing in common, you dreamed of this day and you achieved it. I’m going to talk about just a few members of this class. Police Officer Leslie Kwashie, born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, saw the events of 9/11, saw the tragedy on TV as a child, felt that change was needed, felt that people had to step up and protect each other, today joins this police force to make sure that people will be safe. To make sure that terror will never strike this city again. Police Officer Kwashie’s parents, Phyllis and Stephen Kwashie, are here with us today to see him graduate. This is an American dream come true. Let’s give them a big round of applause.

[Applause]

Now some of you are doing something I always honor and appreciate deeply, you’re putting this uniform after having worn another uniform serving us all. And one of them is Police Officer Athena Poh, a United States Amy Veteran who served in the military police. Athena’s husband is Officer Ricky Poh, also an army vet turned into an NYPD officer. So two army vets became NYPD officers, that is the definition of a power couple, do you agree with me?

[Applause]

We thank them, their sons are here with them and we salute you for all you have done, and while we’re at, by the way, 34 members of this class have served our nation and now will serve the NYPD, let’s thank all the veterans for all they have done for this country.

[Applause]

Now many of you are carrying on a family tradition in the NYPD and we honor that, and one great example, Police Officer Michael Poulsen from Bethpage, New York, joining his older sister, Police Officer Danielle Raven on the force. And thank you to the family but also inspired by someone we will always remember, fellow Bethpage resident, Police Officers Brian Moore who died in the line of duty in 2015. We will always remember Brian Moore and there’s nothing more inspiring than someone seeing a fallen brother in taking up the mantle and carrying on. Let’s thank Police Officer Michael Poulsen.

[Applause]

And this is an amazing number, 115 graduates today follow their relatives in blue into the service of this city, let’s thank all of them.

[Applause]

Now, I’m almost done, but I’ve got to talk about your safety. And first I want to say, the family members, every one up here, every one of us feels it is a sacred obligation to protect every one of these good young men and women. And we have tried with all the actions we’ve taken, the training, the technology, the protective gear, the additional 2,000 officers on patrol, everything we have done. We know is here to make sure officers are safe and we’ll keep doing it, but we have also seen in these last days another threat, another challenge, and we have to talk about it openly – the tragedy of four of our officers taking their own lives. This is something that is just not acceptable and is something we – every single one of us – has to be a part of solving. So, even on this day you joined this great force, know that there may be challenges ahead, it’s part of human life. There are challenges we feel emotionally, it is part of being human, there is never anything to be ashamed of. If you ever need help, help is here for you. If someone you serve with needs help, encourage them, support them. If a family member sees that someone needs help, step forward because we have to be there for those who serve us. We understand the many stresses and challenges but we know help is always there and no one should ever be ashamed to seek the help they needs. We need you, we depend on you, we believe in you, and we will be here for you.

I will finish by saying, this is one of the highest forms of service there is and you will feel the rewards every day. You will feel the challenges, but you will feel the rewards. You’ll know you made a difference, you’ll know you did things that no one else could do. On behalf of 8.6 million New Yorkers, thank you for choosing the path of commitment. Thank you for choosing the path of service. Thank you for choosing the path of courage. Few can do what you do, but thank God you do.

God bless you all.

[Applause]

Lieutenant Tony Giorgio, NYPD: And thank you so much, Mr. Mayor, and thank you for those kind words. It’s indeed my pride and personal pleasure to introduce the Police Commissioner of the City of New York, the Honorable James P. O’Neill.

[Applause]

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill: Thanks, Tony. I’m going to miss you.

Mayor: That’s all you got?

Commissioner O’Neill: That’s it, that’s all I got, that’s all I got.

[Laughter]

So, I was doing some math on the way here – and I think at least 75 graduations? Maybe more – so, really going to miss him. So, Tony, good luck and I really don’t – I swear, I really am going to miss you, man. Tony’s – not only do I work with him, he’s a personal friend, and I think that’s one of the best things about this job, that you are going to meet people, they are going to be friends – they are going to be your friends forever. I don’t think you are ever are going to work with great people – so, I’m not usually at a loss for words but when you see your friends start to retire, not that it’s time, but you know, you start thinking about things. And Tony’s been such a big part of the NYPD. So, on behalf of the leadership – so much for being sentimental –

[Laughter]

On behalf of the leadership team assembled on this stage, Mayor de Blasio and the entire New York City Police Department – Miller, stop laughing, I’m serious.

[Laughter]

Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John J. Miller, NYPD: Just the Commissioner’s attempt at sentimental –

[Laughter]

Commissioner O’Neill: Okay, alright, thank you. I’ve never been accused of that. Welcome to our Recruit Graduation Ceremony. And before I get started, I want to acknowledge a very special member of the NYPD who is here with us this morning, Detective First Grade Dalsh Veve and his wife, Esther. Can we give them a round of applause please?

[Applause]

Most of us know Dalsh’s story and we are keenly aware of the courage and determination that he shows every day and his battle back from the devastating injury he sustained at the hands of a teenager with a lengthy criminal record, driving a stolen car two years ago in Brooklyn. Dalsh is a hero in every sense of the word, so is Esther. He’s truly an inspiration to all of us especially to his cousin, Joshua Lorcy. Joshua is following in Dalsh’s footsteps by graduating today and becoming an NYPD cop. Officer Lorcy, I’m sure your family is extremely proud, I’ll tell you that. And Dalsh, you couldn’t have a better role model in either your personal life or professional life. Congratulations on this great accomplishment Officer Lorcy, let’s please give him a round of applause.

[Applause]

Now to all of our newest police officers, welcome to the NYPD. It’s okay to smile, Academy’s over.

[Laughter]

I can’t see you, the lights are too bright. I hope some of you are smiling. This is a great day for you and a great day for your families. And it certainly wasn’t easy to get here in those seats today. Over the course of your lives so far, there are many different paths you could have chosen but you chose to become cops. And for that, on behalf of this Police Department and all the people we serve, I want to say thank you because it’s not always an easy choice. Police work, although it’s the greatest job in the world, it might not be for everyone. And police work is the most scrutinized – police work and the NYPD is the most scrutinized police department in the world and the most criticized.

It’s definitely not for everyone. To be honest, most people couldn’t manage the challenges of this profession of this city but over the past six months, you’ve proven that you are not most people, you are NYPD police officers. Think about that and let it sink in. And think about the words in the oath you just swore, what those words really mean. Because among other things, they mean that you are now part of the largest, best trained, and most respected police department in our nation. You are now accountable for the safety and security of over 8.6 million New Yorkers, nearly 63 million annual tourists, and the millions more who commute into the five boroughs each and every day.

To be honest I am a little bit jealous. There’s something about the first day that you can’t ever replace, when you have your whole career laid out in front of you. This department is a special family that you and your loved ones will belong to for the rest of your lives. And this job will reward you like no other on the planet but it will challenge you, too. Truthfully, there will be some bad days. This Friday, for example, will be a tough day, when we mark the second anniversary of the murder of Detective Miosotis Familia in the Bronx. As we honor Miosotis’ devotion to service and her incredible sacrifice, I want you to never forget that you now wear the same uniform she wore, that you now carry on her legacy and the legacy of all the brave cops we’ve lost over the years.

So, yes, there will be some bad days in your career but I can promise you there will be many more great days, too. I still wake up humbled and thankful for the opportunity to work in the greatest police department in the world with the best people in the business. We’re all incredibly fortunate to do what we do and our work has never been more meaningful to the people we serve. We have a very clear, well-defined mission and that’s to fight crime and to keep people safe. That’s it. That’s the job. And no one does it better than the NYPD. That will forever be our police department’s legacy and now it’s yours. And it’s your job to keep building on that success.

Make no mistake, none of this is easy. It will be a lot of time away from your family, missed birthdays, anniversaries, and other opportunities to be with those we love. You’ll be working on holidays, as a matter of fact I think there’s one coming up.

[Laughter]

That’s right. That’s right. The largest Independence Day fireworks celebration in the entire United States is here in New York City and you’ll be working, you can count on that.

[Laughter]

I’m going to take roll-call myself to make sure we’re all working. But you’ll see everybody else on the stage there, too. We’ll see you out there. And that’s the kind of job you now have. There will be last minute schedule changes, days off cancelled, plans rearranged, and some sleepless nights – actually probably many sleepless nights. But this is not just a job. It’s not. This is without a doubt a calling.

Every single day you’re out there helping people, making a difference in people’s lives and it doesn’t get any better and more meaningful than that. That’s why you’re here – to make that difference, to do good. Every one of you has a unique story about how you got here but you all have one thing in common, you didn’t get here on your own.

You’re in these seats today because of the people who are sitting behind you. So, to all the family members and friends of our graduates, thank you for your support. I do want to say something, you have to remember this – each and every day, and I’m talking to the police officers – when you leave your house, tell your family members that you love them, make them feel it each and every day. Don’t forget.

I always say that as cops we have the greatest jobs in the world, and we really do, but you, our families, you have the hardest jobs, the most difficult jobs. And it doesn’t matter whether the person you’re here for today is the first member of your family to become a police officer or they’re the latest in a long family tradition of public servants. Either way, I know the mixture of emotions you’re feeling right now – you’re proud, you’re excited, maybe a bit apprehensive, but I want you to know this. You walked into this theater today with one son, daughter, niece, nephew, brother, or sister but you’re walking out with 36,000 more.

Now, with as any family we’re going to have our ups and downs, some good days, some bad, as I said before, but through it all we’re going to be here for each other. There are a number of people here today who already know exactly what I’m talking about, people like the Hussey family.

They’ve been New York City cops for three generations and today, Police Officer Steve Hussey, joins his grandfather, father, uncles, brother, several cousins, and other extended family as a member of the NYPD, and he carries on the legacy of his great uncle Police Officer Joseph Keegan who was killed in the line of duty in 1980 while serving with the New York City Transit Police Department. So, this is a family that certainly understands what it means to take the oath you just took, and we congratulate Police Officer Hussey on being the newest member to join our ranks. Let’s give Steven a big round of applause.

[Applause]

And then there’s the Kalt family. Today, Officer Brian Kalt joins a police family lineage that stretches all the way back to the mid-1800s. That’s six generations of law enforcement in New York and about 150 years of serving the people of this great city. It’s quite a lot to live up to and I know the entire Kalt family has some very high hopes – so, no pressure, Brian. I’m sure you’re going to continue to make everyone proud. Congratulations, Police Officer Kalt, and good luck – let’s give him a round of applause, too.

[Applause]

And I think there’s a reason why families like Brian’s and Steven’s and all the other legacies in the NYPD choose to continue their tradition of public service. It’s because when a police officer swears the oath we just heard, the NYPD swears an oath to that officer, too. This department and this city promise to honor them, to protect them, and to never forget their commitment to the people of this great city. And always that promise extends to their loved ones. So, thank you for supporting this department and for everything you do to make our work possible. We really couldn’t do any of this without you. Let’s all give our families a huge round of applause.

[Applause]

I also want to thank the dedicated instructors and staff at the Police Academy and our training and personnel bureaus for preparing these fine officers for their careers ahead. And again, to our newest cops, never forget who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Don’t ever doubt what you mean to this police department and never underestimate what you mean to the people of this great city and to everyone you encounter during your time as an NYPD police officer. Many people will look up to you, they will admire what you do, and they’ll pay very close attention to the example you set. And you never know how your words and your actions might impact the course of another person’s life. We are very proud of what you’ve already accomplished and it’s my absolute privilege to officially welcome you to our NYPD family. Good luck, watch out for each other, and always stay safe.

Thank you very much

[Applause]