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Salute to Civil Service Organization Month |
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1,359
Graduate From Academy
The Bad News Is ... "Coincidentally, as chance would have it, we all have the same plans for New Year's Eve: a small get-together in Times Square," he added. In all, one in five graduates were born outside the United States. The class included a record 284 immigrants, who came from 58 countries, including Pakistan, China, Thailand, Chile, Ecuador and Egypt. "It gives us the ability to utilize those language skills," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly told reporters after the graduation. "We have a dangerous world, and those language skills help us to help our citizens."
"This graduating class represents the full racial and ethnic diversity of New York City," Mayor Bloomberg told the enthusiastic crowd. "The community will know that the police officers understand them." He singled out Police Officer Phat It, a new recruit who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his parents fled the bloodshed in their native Cambodia. "They came to this country when he was just 5 years old," Mr. Bloomberg said. Mr. Phat marked 2006 by becoming both a U.S. citizen and NYPD cop, the Mayor added as the packed crowd erupted in cheers.
Training Honored "Whether you trace your heritage to Pakistan or Parkchester, to the Dominican Republic or Ditmas Park, you all love our country and you all love our city," he continued. During the ceremony, the NYPD announced that its Police Academy recently became one of the nation's first large training facilities to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). "This really is a wonderful honor," Mr. Bloomberg said. "And it shows that the department really has a commitment to providing the best possible training for today's graduates." The CALEA was created in 1979 by four major law-enforcement executive associations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the National Sheriff's Association. A Singular Honor The accreditation process was started in 2002 by the late James J. Fyfe, who served as the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner for Training. "Very few police academies in the world have gone through the three-to-four-year painstaking review process to win accreditation," said CALEA Commissioner Gary J. Margolis. "With one exception, none of the big city police academies in the United States have achieved this distinction." Many of the new graduates also have extensive educational qualifications. In all, 23 percent of them have received four-year college degrees, 17 percent earned associate's degrees, and 13 individuals possess a master's degree. In addition, 225 of the graduates have served in the military, up from the 118 with such experience in the previous class. "The quality is high, there is no question about it," Mr. Kelly said, after a reporter asked about those figures. The graduates completed seven months of training at the Police Academy in a variety of field assignments, the department said. The new officers will be assigned to commands throughout the city. Mr. Bloomberg noted that their more-senior colleagues have worked to reduce crime to record lows. "Just last week, the FBI reported that violent crime went up in the rest of the nation in the first half of 2006," he said. "But not here in New York City." The NYPD has reduced crime by nearly 22 percent from what it was five years ago, he added. 'A Will to Serve' Mr. Kelly noted that while the recruits come from varied backgrounds, they have many similarities as well. "You have much in common," he told the graduates. "You share a will to serve, to make a difference, to be a part of something larger than yourself." He added, "Everything you do will reflect on the reputation of this department. I know you will make me proud." New recruit Ryan Flanagan, whose father is a retired NYPD Sergeant, said he had always dreamed of becoming a Police Officer. "I'm looking to follow in his footsteps," he commented. "All through school and everything; it's probably one of the most proud days of my life." Asked about the reduced starting salary of $25,100 for the first six months, he added, "I would have taken anything. You don't take this job for the salary." But Mr. Kelly said he hoped the pay, which he has called a "disgrace," will increase soon. He said it has made it difficult for the department to recruit new officers. He noted that the class started with approximately 1,700 officers. "We've had about a 15-percent attrition rate in this class," he said, speculating that the higher-than-usual dropout rate may have been due in part to the low salary. Class Honors Mr. Driscoll received the Mayor's Award for earning the highest average. Jose L. Benitez received the Police Commissioner's Award for earning the second highest overall average. In addition, Kevin W. Yam received the First Deputy Commissioner's Award for earning the highest academic average. Officer Benitez and Jennifer A. Livingston each received the Chief of Department's Award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average. Police Officer Nicholas G. Chabert received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average. Officer Robert M. Sanderlin was awarded the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Award as outstanding company sergeant and Officer Steven P. Rodriguez received the New York City Police Foundation Award for exceptional community service. The graduation ceremony concluded with Mr. Driscoll, the class valedictorian, thanking his mother for helping iron his uniformed shirts, his co-workers in the private-sector who encouraged him to join the NYPD, and his friends, who he said "seem a little too excited about getting PBA cards." | |||||||||
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