NYPD Enrolls Largest Academy Class in Nearly a Decade with Nearly 1,100 New Recruits

The NYPD has recently welcomed approximately 1,100 new recruits to its police academy on Wednesday, marking the largest group of Finest-in-training sworn in by the department in nearly ten years.

This class, consisting of 1,093 recruits, is the biggest to enter the academy since 2016 and breaks the record under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration for the largest number of NYPD recruits. Previously, the record stood in January when 1,045 recruits joined the department.

It also brings the force’s total headcount up to 34,455, law enforcement sources said. 

“Public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity, and today’s announcement shows we are investing in the future of both,” Adams stated regarding the new recruits.

“With nearly 1,100 new police recruits — the most in almost 10 years — starting their training today due to expanded eligibility and updated educational requirements we introduced earlier this year, we are creating a stronger and more contemporary NYPD that mirrors the diversity, dedication, and resolve of our city.”

To date this year, the NYPD has increased its number by 2,911 recruits — the highest since 2006 — with another class anticipated before the year’s end.

Since Adams assumed office, the NYPD has onboarded nearly 10,000 officers. This includes Wednesday’s recruits, an additional 773 recruits from April who are still undergoing training, and 8,000 already stationed at their respective precincts. 

“The single most strategic thing the NYPD can do right now is hire more qualified officers,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

“That’s why we were laser-focused on addressing our recruitment efforts and bringing in the next generation of officers. The momentum is changing, and thanks to Mayor Adams’ support, we will continue to attract the highest level of candidates to protect this city.” 

The swearing-in comes about two weeks after a whopping 965 new NYPD cops graduated from the NYPD’s academy in a confetti-filled Madison Square Garden ceremony — marking the largest class since 2016. 

An NYPD spokesperson credited the growing class numbers to the department’s efforts to offer the police exam every month and use social media to encourage recruitment.

The rep also touted the force’s loosening of college credit requirements required for entry to the academy back in February, as an effort that helped “level the playing field.” 

Tisch — shortly after becoming the fourth police commissioner to serve under Adams — reduced the college credit requirements for prospective cops to enter the police academy from 60 to 24.

But officials revealed Wednesday that a recent reassessment conducted by the National College Credit Recommendation Service tipped the scales — finding that the academy’s recruit training program accounts for 45 college credits, up from the previous 36. 

The influx of recruits comes about a year after the NYPD’s headcount plunged to its lowest level since 1990.

A monthly exodus of 200 cops and a surge in retirements — fueled by increasing workloads, exploding overtime and higher-paying jobs in other nearby departments — left the Finest in a precarious position.

PBA President Patrick Hendry said Wednesday that the latest hires won’t outpace the number of cops who are trading in their uniform blues in hopes of finding greener pastures. 

So far this year, Hendry said, an average of 316 cops have quit or filed for retirement each month.

At that rate, the department could lose nearly 1,900 officers by the time the newest class hits the streets early next year, the union official said.  

“These new recruits are a welcome relief for our overworked and burned-out members on the streets,” Hendry said. “But the real question is: will they stick around? Every New York City police officer knows they can find a less punishing workload, a better quality of life and competitive compensation in virtually any other police department in our area.”

 â€œThe NYPD staffing crisis won’t end unless the city does more to keep the talented cops it already has.”

Additional reporting by Joe Marino