Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today presided over a graduation ceremony for 1,519 new police officers at Madison Square Garden. The graduates recently completed over six months of intensive training at the Police Academy and will be assigned to Operation Impact, the program that pairs rookie officers with experienced supervisors and deploys them to targeted high-crime areas.

“It’s been another unforgettable year for the NYPD: two terrorist plots foiled, a smooth handling of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 amid significant security threats, and a massive mobilization to help evacuate citizens during Hurricane Irene,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Despite all those challenges, the department still succeeded in keeping New York City the safest big city in the country. Today’s graduates will build on that success. Earlier this month, we were tragically reminded of the bravery required to join the NYPD and the kind of heroes that make up the department. Good luck, and congratulations again to you and your families. May God bless and protect each of you and may God continue to bless the NYPD.”

“Members of this class were born in 58 countries, and speak 65 different foreign languages,” said Commissioner Kelly. “In their enthusiasm for this city and this country, these new officers have chosen to contribute to civic life. They are joining an outstanding team. Their fellow officers have driven crime down by 35 percent in the past ten years, and in the past twenty years, they’ve achieved what’s been deemed a Guinness Book of World Records crime reduction.”

There are 136 members of the class who have prepared for their careers by serving in other positions within the New York City Police Department. Of them, 72 served in the Police Cadet Corps, 32 were School Safety Agents, 29 served as Traffic Enforcement Agents and three were Police Communication Technicians. In addition, 134 served in the military. Approximately 24 percent of the graduates are Hispanic, 13 percent are black, 8 percent are Asian and 54 percent are white. Approximately 13 percent of the graduates are female.

Mayor Bloomberg presented the Mayor’s Award to Police Officer Eric W. Levy, for earning the highest overall average in today’s class. In addition, Police Officer Robert J. Miller received the Police Commissioner’s Award for earning the second-highest overall average, and Police Officer Alexander A. Bustamante received the First Deputy Commissioner’s Award for earning the highest academic average. Police Officers Kevin J. Brabazon and Megan A. Mayrose received the Chief of Department’s Award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average. Police Officer Adam G. Geslak received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average. Police Officers Ethan T. Clyde and Michael A. Gammone received the Commanding Officer’s Award for exceptional police duty. Police Officer Earl J. Morgan received the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Award as outstanding company sergeant. Police Officer Donald L. Daal received the New York City Police Foundation Award for exceptional community service.

Out of the class, 64 of the candidates speak one of 65 different foreign languages and 265 of the candidates were born outside the United States, in 57 different countries:

Afghanistan-1
Albania -3
Anguilla-1
Armenia-2
Australia-1
Azerbaijan-3
Bangladesh-11
Barbados-1
Belarus-4
Burma-1
Canada-1
Chile-1
Cambodia-1
China-14
Colombia-4
Dominica-13
Dominican Republic-38
Ecuador-14
Egypt-1
El Salvador-3 
Ghana-3
Guatemala-1
Guyana-9
Haiti-14
Honduras-2
India-16
Iran-1
Iraq-1
Ireland-3
Israel-2
Ivory Coast (Cote D’Ivoire)-1
Jamaica-12
Kazakhstan-1
Korea, South-7
Kosovo-1
Kyrgyzstan-1
Liberia-1
Macedonia, (The Former Yugoslav Rep.)-1
Maylaysia-1
Mexico-1
Morocco-2
Namibia-1
Pakistan-14  
Peru-2
Philippines-5
Poland-10
Romania-2
Russia-7
Slovakia-1
Saint Lucia-2
Trinidad & Tobago-8
Turkey-1
Ukraine-10
United Arab Emirates-1
Uzbekistan-1
Venezuela-1
Vietnam-1

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)