Newest Cadet Class Joins TLC Police to Reinforce Critical Safety Mission

 

TLC’s Uniformed Service Bureau – which Protects Drivers, Passengers from Threats Like Illegal ‘Hustling’ and Supports Vision Zero – Expands Ranks

 

Media Assets: Photos and videos of the event are viewable here

 

NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) today hosted a graduation ceremony at One Police Plaza for its latest class of Police Cadets, who will help implement the agency’s public safety mission as they protect New Yorkers, TLC licensees and the riding public from threats like illegal “hustling.”

 

TLC Police have recently played a part in global news. In June, after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, two TLC officers assisted yellow taxi driver Noureddine Bitat after a group of unruly revelers surrounded and smashed his vehicle. During the World Cup, TLC Police also conducted a surge operation at JFK Airport, where officers directed travelers to the taxi queues and away from unlicensed and unsafe “hustlers” who overcharge tourists for trips and steal income from hardworking TLC drivers. Done in partnership with the Port Authority, the unprecedented operation led to a virtual cessation of illegal for-hire activity at the airport.

 

Enforcement against “hustlers” – who try to solicit passengers to take unlicensed, uninsured, or off-the-books trips – protects the dignity of passengers and licensed drivers, which is one of this administration’s three key principles, along with holding corporations accountable and a transportation system that works together.

 

“By deterring ‘hustlers’ and scammers – not only at the airports but across the city – TLC Police protect the livelihoods of hardworking, rule-abiding licensees and keep bad actors off the road,” said TLC Commissioner and Chair Midori Valdivia. “The work TLC officers do is essential in ensuring that those who experience our transportation system have a dignified, safe experience.”

 

“TLC Police help keep us safe from those who are looking to take advantage of hardworking New Yorkers and tourists,” said TLC Deputy Commissioner of Uniformed Services Bureau Ira Goldapper. “Our officers have former TLC licensees in their ranks, who not only speak multiple languages, but contribute to the mission of keeping our drivers informed and safe.”

 

So far through June, TLC Police have already issued over 3,500 summonses to unlicensed for-hire operators – a 35% increase year-over-year – across the city, compared to the 4,369 summonses issued for all of 2025. That includes 73 vehicles seized for unlicensed for-hire activity, and the number of summonses issued for illegal commuter vans has doubled compared to 2025.

 

All TLC Cadets complete a rigorous, 22-week training program that includes tactical, fitness, and customer service training, with a mission focused on public safety. The 22 graduates of this cohort bring a diverse background that will help TLC’s mission: Five are former TLC licensees, 18 are native New Yorkers, and 16 speak multiple languages, including Spanish, Creole, French, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali. Two cadets also have previous law enforcement experience.

 

TLC Police – known as “The Proudest” – also regularly enforce Vision Zero rules in all boroughs and attend the NYPD Traffic Safety Forum to understand the issues specific precincts are experiencing. They then participate in joint operations with individual precincts.

 

In addition to the Police cadets, two new Safety and Emissions (S&E) Inspectors were also honored at today’s commencement. Working out of TLC’s Woodside facility, TLC Inspectors uphold the quality of TLC-licensed vehicles and ensure that the fleet is safe by conducting state-required tests, as well as checking for TLC-required equipment and markings – such as taximeters in cabs and base markings on livery vehicles. S&E also ensures compliance with applicable TLC rules by visiting taxi garages, for-hire vehicle bases, taximeter shops, and driver education schools. TLC inspectors undergo a thorough multi-week training course that focuses on inspection tests, as well as on providing excellent customer service.

 

About NYC TLC

 

Created in 1971, NYC TLC is the agency responsible for licensing and regulating New York City's medallion (yellow) taxi cabs, for-hire vehicles (community-based liveries, black cars, and luxury limousines), commuter vans, and paratransit vehicles, along with the businesses that operate them. It is recognized as the largest and most active taxi and for-hire vehicle regulatory body in the United States.

 

Almost 180,000 TLC licensees complete approximately 1,000,000 trips each day. To operate for hire, drivers must first undergo a background check, have a safe driving record, and complete 24 hours of driver training. TLC-licensed vehicles are inspected for safety and emissions at TLC's Woodside Inspection Facility.

 

To find out more about the TLC, or to review its rules, regulations, and procedures, we encourage you to visit our official website at www.nyc.gov/taxi or contact 311/311 Online.

 

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