NEW YORK - Mayo Bill de Blasio is disputing claims that a dispute with NYPD Chief of Patrol Fausto Pichardo led to to Pichardo's decision to retire.
Sources tell NY1 the retirement comes after Mayor Bill de Blasio was upset with not being able to get in touch with Pichardo during protests over coronavirus regulations that turned violent in Borough Park last week.
According to sources, Pichardo's phone may not have been working at the time.
They added that Pichardo was reprimanded by de Blasio in a way Pichardo may have viewed as extremely disrespectful.
However, in the mayor's daily press briefing Wednesday, de Blasio called claims of conflict "just not accurate."
"We have rarely disagreed in these months working very closely together in very, very tough times," de Blasio said. "He’s someone I hold in high regard."
He went on to say that according to conversations he had with Pichardo Tuesday night, the decision to leave was based solely on family and personal factors.
Meanwile, police commissioner Dermot Shea told NY1 Wednesday that he was "very surprised" by Pichardo's retirement, calling it "a gut punch."
While not sharing specifics on Pichardo’s resignation, Shea said he spoke with him at length and hopes he’ll reconsider.
“Whatever he decides to do with the rest of his life, and if he decides to pursue whether it’s a career in law enforcement or outside, somebody is getting one hell of a man," Shea said.
“Chief of Patrol Pichardo is a deeply respected leader in the NYPD and City Hall is continuing to have conversations with him regarding his future,” Bill Neidhardt, the Press Secretary for Mayor de Blasio said in a statement Tuesday.
Pichardo has not publicly given a reason for his retirement, but in a series of tweets Wednesday he thanked the NYPD, Commissioner Shea and Mayor de Blasio for trusting him in the role.
Pichardo started in the role in December of 2019 after joining the department in 1997.
He is the first Dominican-American chief of patrol and the department's highest-ranking Hispanic officer.