Transcript: Mayor de Blasio And Commissioner O’Neill Deliver Remarks At NYPD Graduation Ceremony

December 28, 2017

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you, everyone – a very happy New Year to everyone. And it’s my great honor to say to all of you sitting here before me – congratulations, officers. You made it.

[Applause]

And officers, I know it took a lot of work, and I’m so glad that you made this choice, that you had this sense of what you were going to commit your life to, that you did the hark work, you went through the grueling training, you went through all the exams because you knew this was a high calling. And you stuck with it. And your perseverance already shows the people of this city that you will be outstanding police officers. So we celebrate you today. We celebrate your strength, and we celebrate your focus because no one gets here without that.

Now I also want to tell you no one gets here without their families, and it’s important to remember this is your day to celebrate, this is your day of triumphant, but every single one of you had the love and support of the people in your life to help you get there. So this is a moment where we should also say a deep thank you to all the family members.

Give each other a round of applause, family members.

[Applause]

It’s a very good day for New York City today. It’s a proud day as we prepare to celebrate the New Year. I can think of no more fitting opportunity to think about what’s good in this city than to have this occasion – swearing in of 480 new police officers.

[Applause]

And I see you as 480 new guardians of this city, new protectors of the safety of all our people, new champions of justice and fairness. That describes the important work you’re going to do ahead. And the work you’re going to do is going to affect people’s lives very, very deeply. You may not know the name of every person that you help, but there will be people for whom you change the course of their lives forever and for better. There will be families that have you to thank that a family member was safe. There will be people whose lives were put on a better course because one day they met you.

And I can think of nothing more amazing than to have that feeling in your life, knowing how much you will do for so many people.

Now, you represent the best of New York City in every sense. You represent the best of New York City because of the choice you’ve made, because of the hard work it took to get to this point, but also because you represent all of New York City. You come from every corner of this city. You represent all the people that make up this you. You know, we’re a beacon to the world, New York City.

And in some places in this world there’s a lot of conflict, and that conflict sadly breaks along lines of faith or nationality or ethnicity. But people look at New York City and see people find a way to get along and make things work every day, and they look at us with a certain awe.

Well, all of that is possible because of you and all those who came before you. You represent all the countries that have sent people here and have helped us to be a stronger city every year. And you speak a wide range of languages – 43 different languages spoken in this graduating class, and that’s going to make you even better at your job because you’ll be able to relate to the many, many people you serve.

Now there’s so many reasons that have brought each of you to this day. One that we all deeply appreciate is when one of you makes the decisions to follow a family tradition, and we know here in this class people who chose this important work because they saw a family member do it before, and it was inspiring to you. And it’s powerful that that tradition gets passed on from generation to generation. It’s one of the things that makes the NYPD great.

There’s also a group of you who I want everyone to honor in particular. Thirty-eight of you in this graduating class, you’re about to do something so important and so good for New York City, but I want to honor you because you’ve already done something great for your nation by serving in our armed forces.

Thank you.

[Applause]

Mayor: Now, it’s a noble calling for sure but the moment that you’re joining this force is a particularly powerful one. Because the NYPD is doing things that literally were thought to be impossible. I recommend all of you to look at an article today on the front page of the New York Times. And it is powerful because the whole nation will read that and appreciate the work that you are about to do in a new way. What this article makes clear is that crime in this city is down now to a point that we literally last saw in the 1950’s, the 1950’s. We are the safest big city in America. Congratulations to all the men and women up here for that.

[Applause]

But here’s what’s so powerful – leaders like Commissioner O’Neill see that achievement as a beginning not an end. We, all of us believe we can go farther. We can be even safer. That we can bond police and community together like never before. That here in the biggest, most diverse, most complex city in the country – we can show people a new and better way. And you all will be in the vanguard of that new reality.

You know, it’s a powerful thing to do good. But it some ways, even more powerful when you can help to create a brand new reality. That’s going to be an example to people not only here but all around of how to do things a better way. We are going to show going forward how police and community working together not only creates harmony but helps us to bring down crime further. You’re going to be in the lead, you’re going to be those change agents who help to achieve even greater heights for this department.

Now I want you to know that Commissioner O’Neill, as I’m sure he will tell you, sat there once too. Came up through the ranks, now the highest rank, the highest office in this department. And perhaps one of you one day or more than one of you will follow that same path. What’s so important about that is that is our commissioner and the whole leadership team here, understand this work because they did it and understand how important neighborhood policing is because they have seen the results. When Commissioner O’Neill built out the model for neighborhood policing, first under Commissioner Bratton and then when he ascended to the commissionership – he say what it did to change people’s lives. And that’s what’s going to help us go farther, a model that works.

The reality today was unimaginable a couple of decades ago. If you went back to the 1990’s and told people we would be here today at the Beacon Theatre and talking about this reality – safest big city in America, lowest crime numbers since the 1950’s, you would have been laughed out of the room. People would have said it could not be done. Well people who said it couldn’t be done didn’t understand the NYPD, didn’t understand the greatness of this organization, didn’t understand the ceaseless thirst to do better.

You’re blessed because you’re joining an organization that never rests on its laurels. That every day asks the question, how can we get even better? That is the definition of a winning team. You’re joining a winning team, a team that looks to do even greater things.

Finally I want to say this not only to the officers but to the family members. Everyone up here, we all have an obligation to you. Because these good men and women have come forward to serve the city, our job is to do everything that we can to keep them safe so they can come home to you every night. That means the best training that means the best equipment that means continuing to always innovate the ways to make sure this work is as safe as possible. It also means with the help of our colleagues in the City Council – the fact that we added 2,000 more officers on patrol in the last two years because more officers is good for everyone. We are committed to your good work and your safety.

And look, I can only end with a thank you, thank you for making the choice that you did. I’m sure it wasn’t easy at many points along the way but you are doing something great. You’re doing something that few people get to do. And all of us in New York City are the better because you choose the path that brought you to this day. Thank you and God bless you all.

[Applause]

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill: Good morning everybody. Nothing back, huh? Come on, good morning everybody.

Audience: Good morning, sir.

Commissioner O’Neill: Alright, not bad. Maybe not so loud first time you meet somebody you’re on patrol you don’t want to scare them. Morning everyone, and let me extend a heartfelt welcome to all our guests here today. Sorry you had to wait out in the cold a little bit, but this is a historic theater I am glad we’re here today. Huge congratulations to all our graduates. Before I continue I want to make a special mention of a few of your class colleagues. We have foreign officers, [inaudible] and [inaudible] of the Abu Dhabi Police. Thank you for spending the last six months with us to train with our recruits and thank you for the ongoing professional partnership the NYPD enjoys with the United Arab Emirates. I also want to recognize 23-year-old police officer Jake Siciliano who was just three months into his academy training when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukemia in October who tragically passed away about three weeks later. When an officer swears an oath to serve the people of our great city as Jake did. The NYPD swears an oath to that officer also. The department promises to honor him and to never forget his commitment to the people of New York. And always those promises extend to the officers family as well. I’d like to thank Jake’s mother Anne Siciliano who is here with several relatives supporting Jake’s academy classmates, including his best friends, police officer Frank [inaudible]. Thank you for being here Anne and congratulations officer [inaudible]. Let’s please give them a round of applause.

[Applause]

As recruits everyone here had the unique experience of standing for a police funeral all too soon in your careers. But as was expected you displayed the professionalism and respect that’s at the core of our academy curriculum. And today – and let this sink in for a minute. You’re NYPD cops. Don’t ever take that fact lightly. This is the largest, most respected police department in the nation. Arguably it is the most diverse and certainly it is the best trained. So today at your graduation it’s okay to smile, because you deserve it. You worked incredibly hard to get where you’re sitting right now. And remember today – you will remember today for the rest of your lives, it doesn’t seem that long that I was sitting maybe not in these seats but it was in Madison Square Garden and January 5th it will be 35 years as a police officer, it goes by quick, enjoy every minute of it. There is a reason people decide to become cops, it’s to make a difference to do good. And you understand that cops are regular people who believe in the possibility of making the city safer, and a safer country. Cops are ordinary people who sometimes find themselves doing extraordinary things. And you believe in the possibility of being part of something larger than yourself. Here is an example, this academy class recently visited the National September 11th Memorial and Museum to remember an honor all of those who were killed. And you went to learn about the brave first responders who toiled in the rubble searching often in vain for survivors. One story of triumph from that day indirectly involves two of your classmates. Two brothers, police officers Brian and Christopher Strauss. Their dad is a former NYPD Detective Scott Strauss. He was a member of our Emergency Service Unit before he retired in 2004.

On 9/11, Scott who had just worked an overnight shift was off-duty when the plane struck, immediately responded to Ground Zero to begin the arduous task of rescue and recovery in the middle of the largest crime scene our nation has ever seen. At about eight o’clock that night when Scott and his team got a word of two people buried/trapped but alive beneath nearly 40 feet of twisted steel and other debris from what had been the south tower they did not hesitate. The pile was still shifting, it was still on fire. But despite the flames and choking smoke detective Strauss struggled for hours to squeeze himself down into the dark to help free what turned out to be two critically injured Port Authority police officers. Young Brian Strauss who was a 9-year-old at the time realized later what his father’s dedication, and perseverance actually meant. Here is a quote Brian wrote when he entered the NYPD academy in July. “My father and his friends risked their own lives in everything they helped here for people they didn’t know. Their only job was to help others regardless of who they were or what they looked like. That strength of character is what I want to be part of.” I’d like to congratulate Brian and Christopher for following in their fathers noble footsteps. And I’d like all of us to take a moment to acknowledge and thank two remarkable men here today who are forever joined by the tragedy in Lower Manhattan 16 years ago. Former Detectives and NYPD Medal of Honor recipients Scott Straus, and Retired Port Authority Police Officer Will Himeno. Let’s give them a round of applause.

[Applause]

To our graduates, each of you in now an heir to the same tradition of service that has defined the NYPD since 1845. One group that knows that tradition well is the Fitzgerald family whose members have been New York City cops for five generations. Literally since they arrived from Ireland. And for the past number of years Nikita Fitzgerald heard the tales of comradery and sacrifice as described by his uncle and grandfather who heard similar stories from Nikita’s great-grandfather and his great-great-grandfather before that. Two of his predecessors made it to the rank of sergeant, and two others made it to Deputy Inspector. So there’s no pressure Nikita, not at all. Congratulations on your accomplishment today. Let’s give him a round of applause and the whole Fitzgerald family.

[Applause]

Next week will mark my 35th year in law enforcement but today I can tell you you’re beginning what I know to be the greatest and most rewarding job in the world. Our primary mission will always be to fight crime and keep people safe. But we also must make people feel safe too. And there is a difference. We must stay on top of the ever changing threat of international terrorism which is an around the clock task. We’ve had three such attacks in New York City over the past 15 months. Two of which occurred within six weeks of one and another. But we’ll continue to stand tall and we’ll remain vigilant. As long as we remember that everything our free and open society stands for: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear. Everything starts with public safety. New York is the safest big city in the United States due to the hard work of the men and women wearing NYPD uniforms out on the streets today, as well of the thousands of talented and brave cops who came before them. It’s also because the people who live in, work in, and visit our city recognize and understand that to achieve true public safety it takes everyone doing their part. It’s a shared responsibility.

When you leave this theater today the connections you’ll make in the neighborhoods you patrol, and the relationships you develop will keep people safe. They’ll make people feel safe too. I believe that this is one of the most exciting times in law enforcement. Our neighborhood policing philosophy is redefining what it means to protect our great city, and it’s revolutionizing how we interact with the people we serve. What counts more than anything is your character, your integrity, and your professionalism. And remember, your safety as police officers and the safety of the people you’re sworn to protect are deeply intertwined. Listen to peoples’ stories, respect their cultures, work to address their concerns, and you’ll find that the trust you’ll earn will benefit everyone.

As I said, you took this job to make a difference, to do good, and I know you will every time you put that uniform on. And know this, when people in other professions perform well they might earn certain rewards. But when members of the NYPD perform well you save lives. There is no greater reward than that.

I want to thank the dedicated instructors and staff at the police academy, our Training Bureau, our Personnel Bureau, and our Candidate Assessment Division. And I’d like to thank the family and friends of our graduates. You are the ones who supported these officers as they embarked on this exciting journey, and you are the ones who will be by their side for years to come. Thank you for supporting our city’s newest protectors.

And to our graduates, congratulations again. It’s my privilege to partner with you as we make our way forward together. When you leave here today make sure to go out and enjoy today with your loved ones because you earned it. Make sure you tell them that you love them. Never pass that opportunity up, each and every time you go to work, when you come from work. But just know that on Sunday, on New Year’s Eve, you’re going to get a front row seat to the greatest show on Earth.

[Laughter]

Alright that might not be exactly right, you might not get the front row. You might be out on Sixth or Eight Avenue somewhere, but you’ll hear the noise. You’ll know everybody is having a good time. But Sunday is an important day because you’ll be protecting New York City and everyone in it. You’re going to be part of what the NYPD does better than anyone else anywhere in the world. Don’t forget it’s going to be really, really cold so dress warmly. I mean really cold.

[Laughter]

I think in 86 it was about 16 degrees, I think it’s going to be 11 degrees on Sunday night so if you don’t own some thermals go out and buy some please. Or get a late Christmas present. Again, welcome to our NYPD family and I’ll see you out there. Happy New Year everyone.