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Read the press release here.

NYPD Celebrates the Hispanics in its Ranks, but Latino Association Boycotts

By Heather Grossmann | October 15, 2009 3:35pm | Updated on October 15, 2009 3:42pm
Columbia University Dean Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora (left) and Anthony “Romeo” Santos were recognized Wednesday by the NYPD for their achievements in science and the arts, respectively. Police Officer Romulo Guerrero, President of the New York Dominican Officers Organization (2nd from left) and Det. Jeff Stella, President of the NYPD Hispanic Society, joined with Commissioner Kelly in presenting the honorees with award plaques and personalized jackets.
Columbia University Dean Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora (left) and Anthony “Romeo” Santos were recognized Wednesday by the NYPD for their achievements in science and the arts, respectively. Police Officer Romulo Guerrero, President of the New York Dominican Officers Organization (2nd from left) and Det. Jeff Stella, President of the NYPD Hispanic Society, joined with Commissioner Kelly in presenting the honorees with award plaques and personalized jackets.
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NYPD

By Heather Grossmann

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — The NYPD celebrated Hispanic heritage month with an announcement on Wednesday that the police department had drastically increased the number of Hispanics in its ranks.

According to a press statement released by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, a record 29 percent of New York City police officers are Hispanic. Since Kelly’s return to the department in 2002, there has been a 69 percent increase in Hispanics appointed to ranks above captain.

The press release did not mention a growing rift between the Latino Officers Association and the commissioner.

On Wednesday, as the NYPD staged a ceremony at 1 Police Plaza in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latino Officers Association asked their members to boycott. They claimed Kelly had turned his back on the minority group.

Robert Gonzalez, the president of the association, told DNAinfo that until about a year ago, he regularly met with Kelly and enjoyed a good relationship with him.

But he claims that changed when Kelly's aspirations for the mayor's office — widely speculated about in the press — were nixed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to run for a third term.

“Since his failed attempt at the mayor’s office, Commissioner Kelly has turned his back on Latinos in the department,” Gonzalez said. “Once he lost that, he returned to taking care of his boys.”

Gonzalez argues NYPD brass have failed to promote Hispanics to high leadership positions in the counter terrorism, crime fighting and investigative units, which are considered by many to be the most high profile and prestigious assignments in the department.

The association is particularly upset about Kelly’s recent appointment of Phil Pulaski, who is not a member of a minority group, to chief of detectives. A press release sent out by the organization also said that Kelly had never appointed a Latino to one of the coveted deputy commissioner posts.

Despite this, the NYPD Hispanic Society remains supportive of Kelly. Its members were present at Wednesday.

“No other police commissioner has been as dedicated as Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly regarding the advancement and promotion of Hispanics executives to various assignments,” the Hispanic Society said in a release earlier this year.

“We support Commissioner Kelly and we’re setting the record straight regarding Hispanic promotions within the NYPD.”

The society did not return a phone call from DNAinfo.

Gonzalez said the support Kelly receives from the Hispanic Society is easy to explain—the society’s president has a job in the Intelligence Division and its vice president works on Kelly’s security detail.

“Those two are totally compromised,” Gonzalez said.

In the meantime, the Latino Officers Association has been advocating for minority rights through lawsuits. It has won substantial monetary compensation its members, including embattled State Senator Hiram Monserrate, who was once an officer and was awarded $107,973 for discrimination. The organization’s founder, Anthony Miranda, also received $96,000.

In 2004, the association scored an eye-popping $26.8 million discrimination settlement for 600 of its members, but Gonzalez said he is not satisfied. He said that after the settlement Kelly had agreed to look into discrimination practices and make changes.

“How long does it take to look into it?” Gonzalez asked. “We still aren’t involved in any key roles or any policy-making decisions.”