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The New York Police Department welcomed over 1,100 new recruits on Wednesday, marking a record year with more than 4,000 new hires in 2025. This brings the total number of officers to over 34,000, the highest since May 2022, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The new recruits were sworn in at the Police Academy in College Point, New York.
Commissioner Tisch emphasized that the growth in recruitment reflects the public's confidence in policing, countering narratives that suggest the profession is in decline. "That kind of growth does not happen by chance," she stated. The NYPD has made efforts to boost recruitment, such as reducing college credit requirements and awarding 69 college credits to new graduates, equivalent to an associate's degree.
Despite these efforts, the Police Benevolent Association, the city's largest police union, expressed concerns about ongoing officer attrition. More than 3,400 officers have retired or resigned in the past year, partially offsetting the recruitment gains. The PBA argues that the NYPD is still short by about 500 officers. PBA President Patrick Hendry noted that many recruits view the NYPD as a stepping stone to better law enforcement jobs with more manageable workloads.
The NYPD, however, maintains that the attrition rate is in line with expectations, especially considering the retirement eligibility of officers hired in 2005. Tisch assured that the department is outpacing attrition by more than 800 officers. The department plans to continue recruitment efforts, with outgoing Mayor Eric Adams announcing funding to hire 5,000 more officers by 2029.
Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to maintain the current headcount and create a Department of Community Safety to alleviate some duties from NYPD officers, particularly in mental health response.
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