NEW YORK—Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly swore in a new class of 1,249 New York City Police Department recruits on Tuesday at the York College Performing Arts Center.
Since the beginning of the national economic downturn, this is the first large class to enter the Police Academy. They are starting their formal training this week.
The large hire was induced by the fiscal year 2011 budget, which funded officer positions that were to be lost due to attrition.
“In a budget that was full of tough choices, we made a decision to put scarce taxpayer dollars toward keeping our city safe by including funding for nearly 900 police officer positions,” said Bloomberg in a news release.
“We continue to put public safety first, and I want to welcome all the new recruits to an organization that has continued to drive crime down through two national recessions, while keeping us safe from the threats arising halfway around the globe.”
Ninety-nine of the recruits have already prepared for their careers by serving in the Police Cadet Corps; 79 have military experience; and 63 served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Among the recruits, 84 percent are male, 16 percent are female. Whites compose 55.1 percent of the recruits, followed by 25.6 percent Latino and 12.3 percent African-American.
While the majority were born in the United States, 202 of the candidates were born in 45 other countries.
“Today you join a team that has surpassed all expectations—driving crime down to record lows, defending against terrorism, and forging cooperative relationships with the people we serve,” Kelly said.
The class will graduate in December.
Since the beginning of the national economic downturn, this is the first large class to enter the Police Academy. They are starting their formal training this week.
The large hire was induced by the fiscal year 2011 budget, which funded officer positions that were to be lost due to attrition.
“In a budget that was full of tough choices, we made a decision to put scarce taxpayer dollars toward keeping our city safe by including funding for nearly 900 police officer positions,” said Bloomberg in a news release.
“We continue to put public safety first, and I want to welcome all the new recruits to an organization that has continued to drive crime down through two national recessions, while keeping us safe from the threats arising halfway around the globe.”
Ninety-nine of the recruits have already prepared for their careers by serving in the Police Cadet Corps; 79 have military experience; and 63 served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Among the recruits, 84 percent are male, 16 percent are female. Whites compose 55.1 percent of the recruits, followed by 25.6 percent Latino and 12.3 percent African-American.
While the majority were born in the United States, 202 of the candidates were born in 45 other countries.
“Today you join a team that has surpassed all expectations—driving crime down to record lows, defending against terrorism, and forging cooperative relationships with the people we serve,” Kelly said.
The class will graduate in December.
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