Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at NYPD Recruit Graduation Ceremony

October 31, 2024

Lieutenant Jack Conway, Ceremonial Unit, Police Department: It's now my pleasure to introduce the police commissioner of the City of New York, the Honorable Thomas G. Donlon.

Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon: Thank you, lieutenant. Good morning, graduates. On behalf of Mayor Eric Adams, the entire NYPD Executive Staff, and 8.3 million New Yorkers, congratulations on this incredible, incredible achievement. And to all the families and friends with us, welcome. And thank you for supporting our newest officers on this very, very special day.

This morning we welcome a new generation of highly trained, well-equipped officers to the ranks of the NYPD. Graduates, you now wear a shield that carries so much meaning for our city, for our department, and for each of you. Because that shield represents the promise you made, the oath you swore, and the calling you answered, it's about pride and purpose that unites people from all around the world, bringing them together as members of the New York City Police Department.

Your class is one of the most diverse classes in department history. You hail from 29 countries, speak 38 languages, and you reflect the diversity of our city, which makes the NYPD stronger and a city we serve safer. And among you are 74 officers who served in our nation's military. You already know what it means to be part of something larger than yourselves. So thank you for continuing your service in the NYPD.

Also, which is important, is that nearly 70 percent of you are New York City residents, products of the very same neighborhood you are now sworn to protect. And some of you are also from halfway around the world, as we graduate five members from the police force in the United Arab Emirates. As the mayor says, New York is a global city, and this partnership with the UAE is a testament to our strong international bonds. And here to congratulate them is Colonel Dr. Ahmed Al Shamsi from UAE Ministry of Interior. Thank you for being here, colonel, and congratulations to your graduating members.

No matter where you call home, you all come here today with stories of your own and unique experiences that made you what you are today. One story in particular came to my attention from the statements you wrote explaining why you wanted to be an NYPD officer. More than 30 years ago, NYPD officers responded to a terrible car accident in Queens. At the scene, officers discovered a family with three injured children, including a young girl whose injuries were life-threatening. She was unconscious, bleeding badly, and struggling to breathe. And the officers knew she needed immediate medical attention.

As officers do in the line of duty, they quickly and carefully pulled the girl from the wreckage and immediately took her to the hospital. And in that moment, when all seemed lost, one officer's courage and calmness under pressure saved a precious life. Today, we are privileged to witness the continuation of that story. Graduating today from the Academy is Police Officer Xavier Duran, that young girl's older brother who was also injured in that car accident. This experience shaped Officer Duran's early life and inspired him to join the NYPD. He wanted to emulate the officers who saved him and his sisters 30 years ago. And today, in a full circle of faith and legacy that every officer who served, now we have retired Sergeant Minetto, who is here to witness Officer Duran's graduation. It is a powerful testament to the impact of a single act of service that can have on the course of another one's life.

Congratulations, graduating Officer Duran and Sergeant Minetto, and thank you both for sharing your stories. I ask Sergeant Minetto to stand up. He's in the audience today. Thank you, sergeant. And to the families here this morning, you were the first role models these graduates ever had, instilling in them resilience, passion, and integrity. For the rest of their careers, they will bring their values to their work in our department. So thank you for showing them the way and for supporting them with their dream of becoming a New York City police officer. Please join me in giving your families a round of applause. Thank you.

Finally, I want to thank our Police Academy instructors, who laid the foundation for your achievement today. And of course, this is all possible thanks to the vision, the leadership, and unwavering support of Mayor Adams, who sat in the same seat as you when he was graduated from Police Academy 40 years ago, and he understands fully your duties and responsibilities. He's the only person in history to have served as a NYPD officer, and who has gone on to be elected as mayor of New York City. He knows exactly how you feel today, and he fully understands the work that you are facing in your different areas of responsibility and assignments.

And we're very grateful for him for giving us the tools and resources and the need to continue keeping New York safe. So welcome to the greatest job in the world, in the greatest city in the world. Welcome to the NYPD. Thank you, stay safe, and God bless.

Lieutenant Conway: And thank you, Commissioner Donlon. It's now my pleasure to introduce the mayor of the City of New York, the Honorable Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Every time I hear the National Anthem, I think about my Uncle Joe, 19 years old, gave his life in Vietnam defending our country. I not only listen to the melody, but I listen to the lyrics, and I think about those who take the mantle of putting on a uniform to defend the greatest country on the globe.

The most significant lyrics is that the rocket's red glare, the bomb burst in air, gave proof through the night that our flag is still there. Forty years ago, I took the oath you're taking today. I stood up and raised my hand, unsure of what I was going to face as a member of the transit police at the time, and then after the merger, becoming a member of the New York City Police Department. There were good days and there were bad days. There were days that I saw some of the most cruel acts that man can inflict on man. There was days when there was joy, when you saved someone's life or found a lost child or responded to someone who needed some form of medical care. There were a lot of uncertainties, but little did I know that what I learned in the Police Department would fortify me throughout my entire life of showing principle, fortitude, resiliency.

I watched September 11, 2001, when our center of trade was attacked and those symbols of our buildings and strength and courage collapsed in front of our eyes. And although we give acknowledgment each year to the men and women who we lost, and some are still transitioning from the after effects, I want you to know something. We may remember September 11, but I also remember September 12. We got up. We showed the globe what we're made of. And when New York City got up on September 12 and carried out their lives, the entire globe and the entire country followed. And we did it because of those who came before you and considered themselves to be part of the law enforcement community.

That's what it means to serve and run towards danger when others run away. That is what it means no matter who's in charge of any agency or entity, you still carry out your function. And you have such a role to play because no matter what happens next week, you have the responsibility of making sure that this country knows that we are not the divided states. We are the United States, and we're there because you have watered the tree of freedom with your commitment, your sweat, your blood, and your sacrifices. That is what makes us great. It's the greatest country on the globe, and this is the greatest city on the globe, because we have the greatest Police Department on the globe, known as the NYPD, and you are now part of that.

But as you carry out your role and your job, I want you to start out with one thought in mind. When I completed my 22 years, I remember seeing Mom look in the audience when I graduated here at Madison Square Garden. And although she had a level of proudness in her face, she also had fear. And upon my retirement, I remember hugging her, and I felt the weight of her body as she felt this sense of relief. Every day, your family members are going to be on patrol with you. They're not going to rest until they know you're home.

When they hear about an incident that impacts a police officer, they're going to hold their breath to hear the name, and even after hearing the name, they know that a member and one of your colleagues were impacted. They're going to feel the uncertainty. They're going to hear the attacks and criticism as you carry out your job. And so when you are on patrol, think of them. Think about your wives, your daughters, your sons, your moms, your aunts, and your uncles. Make decisions to know that you must be wise and smart and strategic based on the skill and knowledge that you have received. They are with you. They're going to feel your ups and downs. They're going to celebrate your promotions. They're going to be there when you sacrifice and make the good arrests. They're going to be there when you experience a traumatic experience.

When I left the department, it was my son who came to me and told me, Dad, you went through a lot through those 22 years. Now it's time to take care of yourself. As you go through those 22 years, if you're fortunate to do so, spend time with yourself and your colleagues and friends. You're no good to your profession if you're not good to yourself. There's a reason the captain or the airline stewardess states when you are in flight and if there's an emergency and the air pressure drops, place the mask on yourself before you place it on your travel companion because you first must be good to yourself so you can be good to the City of New York.

That is how you get through this career, taking care of yourself. And as the song states, those small time blues, [there's] only one city to be in, and that's New York City. We're the greatest. And as I travel across the globe and the country, I remind people all the time, there's only two types of Americans, those who live in New York and those who wish they could. We're the lucky ones. Congratulations to you.

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