Police academy swears in diverse group of NYPD cadets

The newest batch of New York's Finest has some international flavor.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and police Commissioner Ray Kelly touted the diversity of the 830-member police academy class during their swearing-in ceremony Thursday.

One-quarter of the men and women in the class were born outside of the U.S., coming from 51 countries, including China, Peru, Poland, Egypt and Australia.

The mayor said the diversity will help improve community relations.

"We just completed the safest decade since New York City began keeping records, and I have no doubt that this group -- which is as diverse as the communities they will serve -- will help us continue to raise the bar," he said in a statement.

The class, graduatomg in the summer, also includes 38 veterans, amd 43% of the cadets have college degrees.