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Like his father, young Thomas Kennedy will be assigned during his probationary period to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan.
His grandfather joined the force 60 years ago, and was assigned to LaGuardia Airport, beginning the family’s proud tradition. His father became a sergeant 10 years ago and works with the Emergency Services Unit at Newark Airport.
Like his dad and grandfather, Kennedy will wear badge #464
He was among 195 of the authority’s newest recruits who received their badges during graduation ceremonies at Elizabeth High School this morning.
The 173 men and 22 women sworn today represent the second-largest recruit class in the PAPD’s 85-year history.
Some came from Florida, Texas and Virginia to complete the 26-week training program at the authority’s Police Academy in Jersey City.
Sixteen of the recruits are military veterans.
Combined, they are fluent in 12 foreign languages, in addition to American Sign Language.
Their studies included New York and New Jersey law, police procedures, firearms training, evidence collection and traditional police training. Each officer also received specialized training in counter-terrorism, firefighting, first aid and the use of defibrillators.“These new officers are among the best-trained and best-equipped law enforcement professionals anywhere in the world,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.
“They will now step proudly into the footsteps of their predecessors who for more than eight decades have guarded the agency’s major transportation assets and provided a high level of security for the millions of travelers who use the facilities,” Foye said.
“These officers have been provided with an unprecedented level of training that will give them the tools they need to provide the extraordinary level of security that the traveling public expects,” Port Authority Chief Security Officer Joseph Dunne added.
They will patrol airports, tunnels, bridges and the PATH system, as well as surrounding infrastructure.
Dunne and Port Authority Superintendent of Police/Director of Public Safety Michael A. Fedorko presented the new officers with their badges.
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