Security: New York/New Jersey

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New York/New Jersey: Port Authority Graduates its Largest Class of Police Officers 

The Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) on August 22 graduated 249 new police officers from its largest academy class ever, bringing the department’s staff level to an all-time high of nearly 1,800 officers. PAPD says the additional staff will meet its goal of reducing overtime costs.

Cadets with the PAPD's 113th academy class completed a 26-week program that included extensive police training in counterterrorism, firefighting and first aid. Many of the members will be assigned to newly operational facilities at the World Trade Center

The diverse group of 39 women and 210 men includes 136 New Yorkers and 111 New Jerseyans and a resident each from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Twenty-six are United States Armed Forces veterans. Two, Patrick Gorman and Liam Huczko, are the sons of Port Authority police officers killed in the line of duty during the 9/11 terror attacks.

"Our new officers will bring fresh perspective to the Port Authority Police Department, while continuing its strong tradition of public service," said Chief Security Officer Joseph Dunne. "By increasing the ranks of the department, we have addressed staffing issues that will help reduce overtime costs for the agency and ensure the optimal deployment of all security-related resources."

The PAPD is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the agency's land, sea, air and rail facilities – assets that include three major airports, four bi-state bridges and two tunnels, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the PATH rail system, the regional ports in New York and New Jersey and the 16-acre World Trade Center site.