By Jane LaTour
As the graduates
filed into the auditorium of the Police Academy Aug. 26, they were on the road
to achieving two milestones, personal career victories and major progress as the
newest members of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549.
Civilianizationreplacing
Police Officers in clerical jobs with civilian employees - has long been a goal
for Local 1549 and DC 37. Lillian Roberts, DC 37's executive director, stressed
civilianization in "We Can Do The Work," the "white paper"
she released in May during budget deliberations. The detailed analysis showed
that huge savings are available to the city when clericals replace cops in non-enforcement
duties.
Gloria Williams, Local 1549 Shop Steward at the Police Academy,
expressed her satisfaction with the progress: "I'm very glad to see that
they're hiring more civilians. It's about time!"
The graduates,
members of the first class under the new city budget to successfully complete
the six-week PAA training program, were welcomed to the ranks by Deputy Commissioner
of Training, James J. Fyfe. "We welcome you as full-fledged members of the
Department," he said.
Goals
of the graduates
The ceremony marked an important personal landmark for the
graduates. Delois Locus was formerly a paraprofessional with the Board of Education.
The mother of two acknowledges that she's had a hard time in her young life. "Now
I plan to excel. There are so many opportunities out here for growth - for me
and my children."
Thea Sevastos is optimistic. A former School Crossing
Guard, she likes working with the NYPD and "meeting all kinds of people."
She sees it as another way of helping people.
Carmen Whichard is pinning
her dreams for the future on her new job. Formerly a temp, the mother of three
hopes to purchase a hand-controlled car that she can drive. Disabled at 2 by polio,
Whichard used a scooter to get around at the Police Academy. Now she looks forward
to working with the public and assuming her new responsibilities at the 75th Precinct
in Brooklyn.
The PAA students faced some daunting obstaclesreturning
to school, taking many classes at the same time, and finding the discipline to
do homework at night. In her address to the graduating class, Valedictorian Daisy
Farmer, an immigrant from India, echoed the sentiments of her fellow graduates:
"I'm honored to serve the public. I'm trying to move up."
Local
1549's goal is to have 800 new PAAs on the job and in the union by July 1, 2003.
"We are making progress toward saving millions of dollars as well as providing
these members with tremendous opportunities," said Local 1549 President Eddie
Rodriguez.