The 153 members of Class 357 were the first officers to graduate from the academy since June 2009, and will be the only new recruits for the foreseeable future. Ramsey canceled two academy classes this summer due to budget constraints.
Ramsey has said most of the new officers will likely be assigned to foot patrol beats in various districts.
The hour-long ceremony at the Baptist Temple at Temple University was a positive note at the end of another week of bad news for the department, which this week saw the arrests of two officers from the 25th District on charges of stealing drugs and cash from an undercover agent posing as a dealer. Ramsey has confirmed that those officers were not the targets of the investigation and that additional officers from the 25th may have been involved.
Ramsey on Friday urged the new officers to treat residents with respect and dignity, and to remember that corrupt officers dishonor not only the department, but also their own families.
He asked the officers to think of their careers in law enforcement like a book that has yet to be written.
"You have control over what's written, no one else," he said. "How do you want to be remembered?"
Mayor Nutter also congratulated the officers, saying he always looked forward to attending a police academy graduation.
"I could not be more happy to see you here," Nutter said. "All we ask is that you give your best ... The city and the community need you."
Contact staff writer Allison Steele at 215-854-2641 or asteele@phillynews.com.
