NEW YORK — The NYPD's Hispanic Society is trying to put pressure on the department and City Hall to appoint more Hispanics to leadership roles.
 
“We believe that we have qualified Hispanic executives who should be considered for the promotion and they are continuously overlooked,” said Jenimarie Garcia-Cruz, Hispanic Society board trustee.

According to NYPD personnel records there are 63 deputy chiefs, but only two of them are Hispanic. There are 51 Whites and nine Blacks.

This week, the NYPD Hispanic Society sent a letter to its members saying City Hall and police leadership have turned a blind eye to their concerns.

Retired detective Jenimarie Garcia-Cruz is the past president of the organization.

“We have numerous executives who have been in the rank of inspector which is the rank prior to and before being elevated to the rank of deputy chief," she said. "They’ve been in their rank, some for 14 years.”

NYPD Records show there are currently 128 inspectors, 18 are Hispanic.

“We have eight that we can identify right now who are seasoned, who are tenured, who are ready to go to take the next step,” explained Garcia-Cruz.

The positions of inspectors and chiefs are gained through appointment, not by taking a test like lower ranks. Some view these executive appointments as favoritism choices and not always merit based.

“It’s the police commissioner and the mayor, yes it is a discretionary promotion,” said the retired detective.

The police department says it’s always working to have a force that represents all New Yorkers, but admits more work needs to be done.

“Increasing diversity in higher ranks brings challenges because there is faster turnover in the lower ranks than the upper ranks," said Sergeant Jessica McRorie, NYPD spokesperson. "This is due to higher rank officers retiring after a longer period of service compared to the rank of police officer.”

Last year, chiefs Fausto Pichardo and Nilda Hoffman, who are Hispanic abruptly resigned. Both were considered super chiefs with three stars.

Pichardo allegedly left because of a feud with Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“I believe that that was a disservice and it was quite shocking the abrupt exit of both executives," said Garcia-Cruz.

The Hispanic society says it hopes more Hispanic chiefs can be appointed under the current administration and perhaps a Hispanic police commissioner next year under the new mayor.

“It would just be tremendous to the entire city to give a chance to someone they have never given a chance to in the past,” said the retired detective.