(Metro Networks) NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg was booed when he got up to address the NYPD’s new class of police officers. Afterwards, the mayor told reporters the cool reception goes along with his job.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly defended Bloomberg, saying police and their families were just showing their discontent with talk of layoffs during the city’s budget crisis. Kelly says Bloomberg isn’t the first mayor to be given a Bronx cheer.
A large percentage of the graduating class will be assigned to high-crime areas as part of Operation Impact, an intensive policing program that department officials say is already making a difference.
The department says the 2,100 officers represent the most diverse class in history. Out of the 2,108 graduates, 25 percent are Hispanic, 18 percent are black, nearly 5 percent are Asian and close to 20 percent are female.