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28 December 2016—

Police Commissioner James O’Neill said to police academy graduates  “If you have any friends that don’t make good decisions, lose them. I know it’s tough to do that with relatives, but if you have any relatives that don’t make good decisions, lose them.

Never forget – you are the police. Our job is to keep people safe. Our job is to fight crime, “during the graduation ceremony.

The Madison Square Garden Theatre was the place to celebrate over 550 NYPD police officers that graduated the Police Academy on Wednesday, 28 December in a ceremony.

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And asked them to be “a little friendlier” while they’re on the beat. “This is the key to being a good cop – just saying hello to people, letting them know that you’re a human being also, and you care about what they care about. So, don’t ever forget that.”

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And continued: “Never stop learning. While being an independent thinker also make sure you learn from the more experienced cops around you. Learn from you bosses and learn from your mistakes. Become the best cops you can be.”

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Mayor de Blasio congratulated graduates: “Now, officers, you represent something very, very important to this city […]You represent the growth of this police department. We now with this class are completing the process of adding 2,000 more officers on the beat in this city than what we had just a few years ago. The biggest increase this department has seen in patrol strength since 2001.”

And addresses their family members: “I want to say to all the family members, particularly to the mothers and fathers of today’s graduates – everyone up here on this dais has an obligation to every one of you. Our job is to keep these good, young men and women and safe. And we think of that as a sacred responsibility. And we make sure that the tools are there – the best equipment, the best training, the best vests and protective gear. We want to make sure everyone comes home at night after serving this city so well.”

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