New Class of Police Recruits Is Sworn In

Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly welcomed 1,094 new police recruits yesterday at a swearing-in ceremony in Queens.

The group, the second class of 2008, will begin formal Police Academy training next week, putting them on the road to becoming full police officers.

"Making the choice to join the NYPD is a noble, completely unselfish one," Mr. Bloomberg said. "I thank you, on behalf of all 81/4 million New Yorkers, for risking your lives to protect the rest of us."

The new recruits represent a diverse group, with 20% of them born outside the United States in some 49 different countries.

Of the new recruits, 58% are New York City residents. In total, 122 of them have served in the military, including 67 who have participated in overseas missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Additionally, 398 recruits hold bachelor's degrees.