De Blasio booed at NYPD Police Academy graduation

Mayor Bill de Blasio received a cold reception from some audience members at a graduation ceremony Monday in Manhattan for hundreds of NYPD police officers. None of the approximately 900 police graduates

News 12 Staff

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Dec 30, 2014, 9:07 PM

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Updated 3,598 days ago

Mayor Bill de Blasio received a cold reception from some audience members at a graduation ceremony Monday in Manhattan for hundreds of NYPD police officers.

None of the approximately 900 police graduates turned their backs on the mayor during the ceremony at Madison Square Garden, but some people in the audience did. Others booed and heckled the mayor.

The new NYPD officers who spoke with said they are focusing on their futures and remaining positive despite accusations by some critics that de Blasio is fostering an anti-cop climate in the city.

"I just hope that we can mend whatever has happened in the last few months and move past it because, ultimately, New York City is a great place and a safe place," said graduate Julia Goldberg.

"I'm proud to continue the legacy that my great-grandfather started," said graduate Martin Kuhl.

Despite the cold reception from some audience members, de Blasio proceeded with his speech.

The ceremony included a moment of silence for slain NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.