Hispanic top officials in the NYPD

Next month, the New York Police Department (NYPD) will lose its highest-ranking Latino official: First Deputy Commissioner Rafael Piñeiro. A group of Hispanic City Council members, backed by several nonprofits, has formally asked Commissioner Bill Bratton to name another Latino to hold this position and to promote other officers from our community to top posts.

Despite being the largest minority in the NYPD, almost 27% of its 34,451 officers, Hispanic police officers don’t hold the positions with major decision power and are far from being in direct contact with communities. To mention a few examples, for the rank of captain, Latinos only account for 10% compared with 80% for whites. As far as bureau chiefs, 81% are white and 9% are Hispanic.

In boroughs as diverse as Queens, precinct commanders don’t reflect the population; the numbers are so low that there is only one Hispanic at the helm, out of 16 existing precincts.

Now more than ever, when the NYPD needs to rebuild its relationship with the communities, Commissioner Bratton must review the numbers and the department’s policies with Mayor Bill de Blasio—since it’s obvious that Latino police officers are underrepresented.

Bratton, seeking to address people’s dissatisfaction with the cases involving police abuse and poor tactics, has offered a framework for change. Nevertheless, he must take into account this city’s diversity and make sure that the police force reflects the community it works for.

To reach this goal, the commissioner must take advantage of the Latino talent that exists in the department. He must be open to our people’s ideas and proposals.

We completely agree with the group of City Council members in demanding more Hispanic representation in the police force.

In addition, young people looking to join the NYPD must see a future that includes possibilities to reach the top echelons and improve their work for and service to the community. However, the current numbers are sending a completely different message.

Commissioner Bratton: that’s why we expect to see these promotions soon