Mayor Nutter And Commissioner Ramsey Attend Their Final Police Academy Graduation
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Nutter and Police Commissioner Ramsey attended their last graduating ceremony for police academy recruits. The mayor is leaving office next month and the commissioner is retiring. Both had words of wisdom for the young officers.
Commissioner Ramsey told the gathering when he was a rookie 47-years ago, they handled Vietnam era and civil rights movement protests, but the focus "was really on those issues." Now, he says, "the focus is on us, the focus is on police."
"And we have got to make the kinds of adjustments and changes necessary to meet the needs and demands of the community in the 21st century. It is not the same. It is different," Ramsey said.
He also told the graduating class to remember the pride they felt during the badge ceremony, when a close relative or friend pinned a badge on their uniforms for the first time.
"If you can remember that, then you will never ever do anything to dishonor that badge," he told them.
Ramsey said the numbers on the badges were worn by another before them, and when they turn it back in, maybe in 30-years...
"Make sure that you turn over that badge like it was turned over to you -- untarnished."