1,097 Graduate From Academy
Rookie Cops Ready For Action

By REUVEN BLAU

Blue and white confetti rained down on the 1,097 new Police Officers at the conclusion of their June 27 graduation ceremony.

The Chief-Leader/Michel Friang THE NEW ARMS OF THE LAW: The city's 1,097 newest cops take the oath of office to mark their graduation from the Police Academy during June 27 ceremonies at Madison Square Garden.

"I'm really proud," said Officer Pablo Velazquez after the commencement at Madison Square Garden. "I was always inspired by the NYPD. As long as you belong to this honorable department, salary doesn't matter."

Pay Deters Recruiting

The department, however, has been struggling to recruit new cops under the reduced starting salary of $25,100 for officers during their first six months of training. The NYPD is currently 2,800 officers below its projected headcount.

At the graduation, Mayor Bloomberg welcomed the new recruits and pointed out that their more-senior colleagues have reduced crime to record lows. Crime in New York City is down more than 27 percent since 2001, he noted.

"That's a remarkable record, and because of it, today our city's economy is surging," he remarked, "our population is growing and New York's future is bright with promise."

The group of new recruits is once again one of the NYPD's most diverse graduating classes. The graduates include officers from Peru, Haiti and Vietnam, Mr. Bloomberg said.

Half Minorities

The department is becoming more diverse in other areas as well. According to the NYPD, approximately 27 percent of the graduates are Hispanic, 16 percent are African-American, 7 percent are Asian and 50 percent are white. In addition, approximately 18 percent of the grads are female.

Many of the new graduates also have extensive educational qualifications. In all, 252 graduates have received four-year college degrees and 189 recruits earned associate's degrees. In addition, 167 of the graduates have served in the military.

"Today some of the nation's finest young men and women shoulder the responsibility of protecting the public against conventional crime and terrorism in a city that their brother and sister officers have already made America's safest," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.

The department has also become a younger force, as many of the recruits are recent college graduates still living at home. The average age of the new class is 25, down from the median age of 26 years old in prior classes, Mr. Kelly told reporters in January.

Mayor Bloomberg singled out the husband-and-wife team of Officers Daniel and Jamie Cronemeyer, who both graduated last week.

Followed Her Lead

The officers met when they were 16-years-old during a summer job at Sears, but it was Ms. Cronemeyer who always wanted to become a cop. "When I went through the process, he got interested," she told reporters after the ceremony.

As for dealing with low starting pay, Mr. Cronemeyer said they have strong support from their families and plan to use some money they saved before getting married last year. "It can only get better," he added, referring to the salary.

Officer Samuel Fagin also said he always dreamed of becoming cop, but his career in law-enforcement took a detour when he became a civil litigation attorney. "It's a lifelong ambition of mine," the 32-year-old remarked, noting that he volunteered as an auxiliary officer in the 20th Precinct on the Upper West Side.

The training to become a cop actually exceeded his expectations, he said. "It was all very much a challenge."

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.

Dedication Beats Money

Standing outside The Garden following the graduation, Officer Ismail Abdullah noted that the salary could always be better. But he quickly added, "The pay shouldn't matter if you are really dedicated."

Officer Joseph Arius, who grew up in Haiti, also said he always wanted to join the NYPD. "Anybody who picks the job, it's because you like it," he remarked with a Haitian accent. "You want to put people first before money."

He said he's a "bit nervous" about starting on patrol at the 52nd Precinct in The Bronx. "But I know I'll be all right because I had enough training," he said.

Police Officer Dorian K. said he signed up because he likes helping people. "I'm pretty sure that's what most people will say," he commented. As for the low starting pay, he said it was a factor, but added that he's willing to "cope" with it. "It's not all that dramatic, but it's not easy either," he added. "But if you do your economics, it's manageable."

Harvard Grad is Tops

Police Officer Cheryl C. Walter, a Harvard graduate, received the Mayor's Award for earning the highest overall average. Christopher T. Lopez received the Police Commissioner's Award for earning the second highest overall average.

In addition, John D. Boyce and Ian D. Luna received the First Deputy Commissioner's Award for earning the highest academic average. Ms. Walter and Eric M. Florio each received the Chief of Department's Award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average. Police Officer Brian V. Corso received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average.

Officer Steven Dutes was awarded the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Award as outstanding company sergeant, and Officer Philip E. Schoppmann received the New York City Police Foundation Award for exceptional community service.