914 Graduate From Academy
Rookie Cops Ready for Action

By REUVEN BLAU

The crowd erupted in cheers as the 914 graduates marched into Madison Square Garden from side entrances at the start of the Dec. 27 graduation ceremony.

The Chief-Leader/Eric Weiss REWARDING THE ROOKIES: The NYPD swore in 914 new recruits during a Dec. 27 graduation ceremony at Madison Square Garden. The Police Officers pictured included some of the class's top honorees: from left, Christopher Ianno, Shaheed Ahmad, class Valedictorian Karolina Wierzchowska, and Meredith McGovern.

"From this day forward you will see life differently," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly told the recruits. "You will live your life through the prism of your mission - to protect New York City."

Bound for 'Impact'

The officers have all been assigned to the NYPD's acclaimed Operation Impact, which floods high-crime areas with new recruits, who are paired with veteran officers.

"We are counting on you to continue the department's proud tradition," Mayor Bloomberg said.

Throughout the ceremony, the new recruits were cheered on by their enthusiastic family members and friends, who often bellowed their names and flashed pictures from the stands.

Mayor Bloomberg noted that the class is among the most diverse to have ever graduated from the Police Academy, with one in five recruits born outside the United States. That included class Valedictorian Karolina Wierzchowska, who came to New York in 1999 from Poland right before graduating from high school.

Seized Her Chance

The Chief-Leader/Eric Weiss JOINING FORCES: Police Officer Peter M. Villahoz received the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Award for outstanding company sergeant at the Dec. 27 graduation in Madison Square Garden. Pictured are Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, left, PBA President Patrick J. Lynch, and Mayor Bloomberg.

"I've always wanted to be a Police Officer," she told reporters following the ceremony, with Commissioner Kelly beaming by her side. "But in Poland we didn't have such great opportunities."

Six months after immigrating to the U.S., she joined the military, where she was assigned to patrol the perimeter of Ground Zero after 9/11. She later studied at Queens College and joined the NYPD's Cadet Corps.

But her time in New York was interrupted after she was deployed to Iraq, where she served in Nazariya.

Bloomberg Praises Cop

Speaking shortly after the graduation at a separate event, Mayor Bloomberg cited her story as emblematic of a dedicated individual. "[She] came here a year before she finished high school and the first thing she wanted to do was to become a Police Officer, but six months after she arrived she joined the military and went to Iraq and served this country," he said.

During his graduation address, Commissioner Kelly singled out Police Officer Shaheed Ahmad, who received the Commanding Officer's Award for exceptional police duty. While on his way to afternoon classes at the academy, a man rushed over to Mr. Ahmad by the 4,5,6 line subway station on 14th St.

"He told me a woman fell to the tracks," Mr. Ahmad recalled, while clutching his award. "I saw the light from the train. I didn't realize the amount of danger at the time."

With help from the man on the platform, they pulled the woman to safety, seconds before the train rumbled into the station. "It was like, 'Wow! That was close,''' he remembered.

Joining the NYPD was always a dream, and he said he wasn't discouraged by the low starting salary of $25,100 while in the academy.

The pay, however, has created a major recruitment problem for the NYPD, which is currently 2,423 officers below its targeted headcount of 37,838 cops, Mr. Kelly told reporters. "As far as hiring is concerned, we had no problem before 2005," he said, referring to the arbitration award issued at that time which slashed the starting pay for new recruits.

Secondary for Two

But the low salary wasn't a deterrent for Police Officers Christopher Ianno, a former military officer, and Meredith McGovern, who each received the department's award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average.

"I just can't wait to go and start working," Officer Ianno said, noting that he had been assigned to the 70th Precinct in Brooklyn. "I joined for a purpose. I wanted to serve the city."

Officer McGovern, who worked as a professional dancer before joining the NYPD, said she was aware of the pay issue. "It didn't matter," she remarked. "I grew up in a military family. I thought the best way to be in service and stay in the city would be the NYPD."

Her family was surprised she decided to change careers just as she was pursuing a master's degree in dance from Long Island University, she said. "I was about to turn 30 and I wanted to do something different and still be active," she added, with her police hat over her close-cropped hair. "I thought what better place than to be here."

Trapeze Good Practice

Winning the physical fitness award wasn't too challenging, she said. "I used to do trapeze," she remarked. "I used to do a lot of pushups. That certainly helped."

During his graduation address, Mayor Bloomberg also said her experience would be an asset. "In this job it helps to be quick on your feet," he joked.

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 Impact Zone commands throughout the city.

Mr. Bloomberg noted that their more-senior colleagues have worked to reduce crime to historic lows, with the city projected to have fewer than 500 homicides in 2007, the lowest number in 45 years.

The class included minorities from several groups. According to the NYPD, approximately 27 percent of the graduates are Hispanic, 13 percent are African-American, 7 percent are Asian. In addition, approximately 17 percent of the grads are female.

Award-Winners

Officer Wierzchowska received the Mayor's Award for earning the highest average. Police Officer Michael Aliseo Jr. received the Police Commissioner's Award for earning the second highest overall average.

In addition, Officer Wierzchowska also received the First Deputy Commissioner's Award for earning the highest academic average. Police Officer Edgar Petrelli-MacKay received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average.

Officer Peter M. Villahoz was awarded the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Award as outstanding company sergeant and Officer Ann Cichon received the New York City Police Foundation Award for exceptional community service.