The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Police Department (PAPD) has reached record staffing levels following the graduation of 120 officers during a ceremony held at the World Trade Center, bringing the total number of PAPD members to 2,232.
The formal graduation of the 119th Police Academy class -- originally scheduled for Friday, March 13 at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, N.J. -- was combined with the traditional ceremony at the 9/11 Museum, during which new officers receive their PAPD badges the day before graduating. The two ceremonies were merged because of concerns about large, confined gatherings and possible exposure to the coronavirus, according to PANYNJ.
“The newest members of the PAPD are joining one of the nation’s most prestigious police forces,” said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “They are sworn to protect all who use Port Authority facilities, and we have the utmost confidence they will perform their duties admirably and with a singular sense of purpose.”
This year’s class includes 89 college graduates and 20 military veterans, with 53 having prior law enforcement experience. Seven recruits have family members who previously served or are serving as PAPD officers. PANYNJ says as part of the its ongoing commitment to diversity that reflects the region the Port Authority serves, Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans make up 30 percent of the graduating police class. The recruits speak a total of 13 languages.
“We welcome the 120 officers joining the PAPD, bringing the department to the highest staffing level in its history,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This increase is essential to the Port Authority’s ongoing commitment to provide first-class safety and security at the agency’s air, land, rail and sea facilities.”
“These officers have been provided with exceptional training that will give them an advantage in providing a unique level of security to the millions of people who use our facilities,” said PANYNJ Chief Security Officer John Bilich.
As part of their 26-week training sessions, the new graduates studied the laws of both New York and New Jersey and received comprehensive instruction in police procedures, firearms usage, First Aid and counter-terrorism techniques. They also received training from a Holocaust survivor to help them examine the roots of prejudice and intolerance and apply those lessons to police work.
“As these graduates begin their careers as law enforcement professionals, they are now equipped with training and resources to protect millions of people, not only in enforcing laws but as first responders at the agency’s airports, tunnels, bridges, terminals and PATH,” said PAPD Superintendent Edward T. Cetnar.
The PAPD is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the agency's air, land, sea and rail facilities, which include airports, bridges and tunnels, bus terminals, the PATH rail system, regional ports in New York and New Jersey and the 16-acre World Trade Center site.
