Commissioner Ramsey's Son Among Philadelphia Police Academy Graduates
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A class of new Philadelphia Police recruits celebrated their graduation from the Police Academy Wednesday. One of them followed his well known father's footsteps into law enforcement.
(Roll Call:) "Police Officer Charles Ramsey…"
No, it's not Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, but his son bearing the same name who was among the 47 new recruits to take the oath to protect and serve the citizens of the city.
Commissioner Ramsey says his son, a Penn State graduate who had been working as a probation officer, finally decided to join the "family business."
"When he told me he was going to take the exam and come on the Philadelphia Police Department, it did surprise me a bit. But I was also just very, very proud of him. But I've been very proud of him his entire life," Commissioner Ramsey said.
WATCH: Graduation Day For The Philadelphia Police Academy
The newly minted Officer Ramsey says seeing what his father did as he was growing up had an impact.
"That, probably all the pictures of me in his oversized hat. I know my mom tried to hide guns from me as a kid, but that never worked out well," Officer Ramsey said.
The new Officer Ramsey says he and his classmates are excited by the challenges ahead and prepared to meet them head-on.