New Cops Urged to Shore Up an Ebbing Blue Wave

The Chief-Leader/Michel Friang TOP O' THE CLASS, OFFICER: New Police Officer Carlyle R. Mason, who graduated as valedictorian of his Police Academy class, shares the moment at Madison Square Garden with his wife Olivia and their daughter Kate.

Carlyle R. Mason became a Police Officer Dec. 30 because of a fleeting moment 18 years earlier. After noticing a female Transit cop at the Canal Street subway station, the then-15- year-old Beach Channel High School student decided he wanted to join the NYPD. He became a volunteer in the NYPD Auxiliary Police, then joined the Navy for 10 years, but he never forgot that image.

"I was impressed because they looked like they knew what was going on, like a go-to person," Mr. Mason recalled last week. "If you needed to know something, they would know it. I got the feeling that this person was a leader and I started to work towards that."

Mr. Mason, who was valedictorian of his Police Academy class, fulfilled his dreams last week in several ways, not only becoming a cop but also being assigned to the Transit Police on New Year's Eve, his first day of patrol with 1,128 other probationary officers.

The Chief-Leader/Michel Friang NEWEST OF THE FINEST: Police Academy graduates take the oath of office Dec. 30, the last step before being given their new assignments, primarily as members of an NYPD initiative allocating extra resources to high-crime areas.

 

'A Dream Come True'

"It's like a dream come true," he said outside Madison Square Garden, where the graduation was held. "I hadn't even thought about that."

Mayor Bloomberg, who presented awards to the graduates, said to roaring applause, "You answered the call. You made the grade. Somehow or other you finished the Academy. You came a long way. You entered the Garden as recruits and you will leave as Police Officers."

Mr. Mason was part of the last full Police Academy class for at least a year, since the next two classes, this month and in July, will each consist of just 250 cadets. "Like all city agencies, the Police Department has been called upon to meet the demands of a fiscal crisis while fulfilling our mission," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said to the crowd at the Garden. "We'll be looking to the members of this class to help us do that. We know you will serve New Yorkers well and make us all proud."

RAYMOND KELLY: A 'proud legacy' carried forward.

For the Police Commissioner, the budget reductions the department will have to contend with conjure memories of the economic troubles after 9/11 when crime rates were expected to rise sharply. "Major newspapers said our best days were behind us," he said. "They said crime had nowhere to go but up. Instead, crime fell in 2002, and it has fallen every year since then, even though we have thousands of fewer officers in our ranks than before 9/11.

'Inheriting a Proud Legacy'

"The members of the department have achieved a tremendous record of crime reduction," he continued. "Today you inherit this proud legacy, and I know each one of you will contribute something unique."

The Mayor praised the NYPD for the dramatic drop in crime over the last seven years. "But the chapter that you are writing now at the dawn of this new millennium may be the most amazing," he said. "There is just one day left to go in the year 2008 and crime is down nearly 4 percent this year as opposed to last. It is down in our schools; it is down in our subways; it is down in public housing; it is down in every borough; and it is down in nearly every major category."

Armando and Robert Guzman, two brothers who graduated Dec. 30, were part of the 12 percent of the class who were African-American. About 28 percent of the most diverse NYPD class yet was Hispanic, eight percent Asian and 49 percent white. Sixteen percent of the graduates were female and 158 members of the class have served in the military. One graduate even worked at Victoria's Secret, the Mayor joked, but he said the job description would be left for new Police Officers to ponder on the night shift.

"Nearly one-quarter of our graduates were born overseas," Commissioner Kelly told the crowd. "Twohundred and fifty-five officers from 55 foreign countries, fluent in dozens of different languages. We value that diversity more than ever. It helps us respond more effectively to the many different communities we serve, and to protect the greatest city in the world."

'We'll Help You to Help Us'

Before the traditional tossing of the white gloves, Mr. Bloomberg vowed the city would keep an eye on its new employees. "There is no more important and necessary responsibility in our democracy than keeping our citizens safe," he said. "We will do everything to make sure that you stay safe, too—by continuing to provide the best leadership, training and equipment."

Police Officer Mason won the Mayor's Award for the highest overall average in the class. Police Officer Michael A. Relf received the Police Commissioner's Award for earning the second highest overall average. Police Officer Ryan D. Baer received the First Deputy Commissioner's Award for earning the highest academic average.

Police Officers Leila P. Thompson and Jose M. Ramos received the Chief of Department's Award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average. Police Officer Gregg Sanfilippo received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average. Police Officers Joel A. Bolivar and Edreweene Raymond received the Commanding Officer's Award for exceptional police duty.

Police Officer Henry H. Ko received the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Award as outstanding company sergeant. Police Officer Erik R. Tarnoc received the New York City Police Foundation Award for exceptional community service.