Updated — Dec. 29, 12:47 p.m. ET
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NEW YORK CITY — Mayor Bill de Blasio was booed at a Monday graduation ceremony for newly minted New York Police Department officers before he made a speech emphasizing efforts to keep officers safe.
"You didn't create the social problems you will face," de Blasio told the recruits, as someone in the crowd shouted, "You did!"
Relations between City Hall and the NYPD have been tense ever since a gunman killed two police officers in Brooklyn earlier this month. Officers have turned their backs at the mayor at public events. Pat Lynch, the head of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the union representing the NYPD rank-and-file, criticized the mayor for having solidarity with anti-police protesters and saying he had "blood on his hands."
It was unclear whether any recruits participated in Monday's heckling, but jeers and boos were clearly audible. At least two audience members turned their backs on the mayor, but most of those present gave him polite applause.
@BilldeBlasio little surprised more people didn't turn back on @BilldeBlasio I count only 2
A dozen or so attendees have stood and turned their backs to Mayor as he speaks. Crowd mostly silent after initial jeers.
No cadets have their backs turned at nypd graduation but a few audience members do
Both de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton spent most of their speeches emphasizing efforts to keep police officers safe.
"Well, all of us — here on this stage — we have a responsibility to you," the mayor said. "We have responsibility to you to keep you safe."
De Blasio went on to say that the city plans to spend $400 million this year on safety tools for the NYPD, including smartphones and tablets that will allow for the quick delivery of information to officers.
On the day the two officers were killed, tthe Baltimore Police Department sent the NYPD a fax warning officers that a Maryland man had made threats to shoot at police. The man, Ismaaiyl Brainsley, killed the officers just minutes after the fax went through.
Bratton also emphasized safety, telling a number of stories from his early days with the Boston Police in which he said training had proven essential to escape danger.
"I want to talk to you, cop to cop," he said. "I may have the civilian title of commissioner, but in my heart I will always be a cop."