NYPD Welcomes Newest Round Of Recruits

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly welcomed more than 1,200 members of the latest police academy class Tuesday. This is the first large class since the recession and also one of the most diverse, with recruits hailing from 45 countries. The class also features veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but also two recruits who are continuing a legacy. Barry Driscoll is the son of Sean Driscoll, an Emergency Services officer, who was killed during the September 11th attacks, and Conor McDonald, son of NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who was shot and paralyzed while chasing a suspect in Central Park. Both say they felt they owed to the city and their families to join the department. "The City of New York did a lot of great things for my family in 1986 when my father was shot. I just felt compelled to serve and protect them. Just like the four of us here -- there's 1200 other men and women who want to do the same thing," McDonald said. "I'm just happy to have the opportunity to serve my city like my father did. My family is absolutely concerned about my safety, but all the families of all the cadets are probably in the same set, so," Driscoll said. The recruits begin their academy training this week.