The NYPD held a graduation ceremony on Friday for members of the NYPD who will be joining the department’s most elite unit.
The graduation at Floyd Bennett Field welcomed 32 officers to the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit. Over 400 officers applies, 40 were selected and 32 have made it through after nine months of intensive training.
“We worked very long and hard to get here and not one second was wasted in that time, and having all my friends and family here is top notch,” said graduate Diana Callahan.
The trainees are put through extreme conditions and trained on things like vehicle extrication, down officer rescue, scuba diving, aviation, and handling hazardous materials and special weapons.
The unit’s mantra? When people need help they call the police, and when the police need help, they call the ESU.
Each officer will be dispatched across the five boroughs, and will specialize in things such as hostage negotiations, dealing with emotionally disturbed people and operating as certified EMTs.