A Quarter of Police Force Is Hispanic, According to NYPD

The percentage of NYPD officers who are Hispanic now nearly matches their 27-percent representation in the city’s population.

The NYPD Oct. 14 announced that 25.6 percent of officers in all uniformed ranks are Hispanic. Within the entry rank of Police Officer, 29 percent are Hispanic.

The department held a program commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month.

‘Diversity Enhances the Force’

“Even among our Hispanic members, there is enormous diversity,” said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. “Our officers were born in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as in Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. This diversity enhances our ability to serve New Yorkers.”

Since 2002, when Mayor Bloomberg took office, there has been a 69-percent increase in the number of Hispanics promoted to discretionary ranks above Captain. There has also been a 55-percent increase in the number of Hispanics occupying discretionary ranks below Captain, compared to 2001.

Two Bureau Chiefs, two Deputy Chiefs, four Inspectors and 10 Deputy Inspectors are Hispanic.

The NYPD, though, remains majority white, with 53 percent Caucasians. The number of black officers lags at only 16.4 percent. Asians comprise 4.5 percent of the department.