The last NYPD promotion ceremony of 2005 offered an opportunity for Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to look back at a very busy - and successful - year for the Police Department.

From subway terror threats to the UN general assembly to Hurricane Katrina, Commissioner Kelly reminded a packed audience at the promotion ceremony Friday that NYPD officers had a lot to deal with this year.

"Add to this the routine large events that the department handles, from New Year’s Eve, to July Fourth, to the Thanksgiving Day parade,” said Kelly. “Despite all of these challenges you prevailed."

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NY1’s Solana Pyne filed this report.

This month's transit strike was just one of many challenges the NYPD faced this year, and, according to the police commissioner, one of a long list of successes.

“I also want to highlight the tremendous effort last July to protect the city's subways following an apparent terrorist threat, and the exceptional coverage you provided during the 60th anniversary of the UN general assembly in September," said Commissioner Kelly.

Promotion ceremonies happen about once a month, and they're always an opportunity for the department to pat itself on the back. But at Friday's ceremony - the last of the year - the police commissioner made a point of looking back.

“We're boasting a little bit today, because your performance of the last year deserves a little boasting," said Kelly.

The commissioner touted this year's crime reductions - about five percent this year - even as the department has taken on increasing responsibility.

He also held up newly promoted Deputy Chief Thomas Graham as a prime example of the many jobs required of NYPD officials. Graham heads the department's Disorder Control Unit, which is in charge of managing large crowds at events such as the monthly Critical Mass bike rides and protests like those against the Republican National Convention.

"Under Chief Graham's leadership, disorder control has pioneered tactics in controlling crowds and keeping the peace in volatile situations,” said Kelly. “Its expertise has proven invaluable in the age of counter-terrorism, too."

Graham also was the first member of the NYPD to arrive in New Orleans as part of the NYPD's relief effort for Hurricane Katrina, an example of something greater than dedication to the job.

“I went to Katrina because I wanted to go. Those people needed help,” said Graham. “But those people came and fed us during the World Trade center."

And there's also his enthusiasm.

“I feel like I'm 25-years-old and I've got another 30 years to go, which is not quite the case,” said Graham. “My grandson is taking the test to come on the job.”

In many ways, it was a very busy year, but the year's not quite over for the NYPD. They'll be out in force for New Year's Eve on Saturday.

- Solana Pyne