NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The New York City Police Department’s highest-ranking Hispanic officer is retiring.
NYPD Chief of Patrol Fausto Pichardo filed for retirement on Tuesday, according to police officials.
The 43-year-old began his career with the police department in 1997, as a New York City Housing Police Department cadet, and previously served as Executive Officer in the Patrol Services Bureau.
Pichardo abruptly quit, reportedly over a dispute with the mayor.
WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports sources claim that when Pichardo went home after spending hours managing the NYPD response to protests in Borough Park last week, he missed calls and messages from the mayor, and there was a heated argument over the phone.
De Blasio addressed the reports at his briefing Wednesday, saying they are "not accurate."
"There was one thing that I need to talk through with him where I think there was some miscommunication, but he and I have talked dozens and dozens of times and had no problem communicating and working through things," de Blasio said.
The mayor said Pichardo is making the decision to leave for "family reasons."
"I spoke to him last night several times, I spoke to him this morning. I'm very clear from those conversations this was a personal decision, a decision based on personal and family factors. He's a very devoted family man. This was something that he felt was important to do for his own family," de Blasio said. "We have rarely disagreed in these months working very closely together in very, very tough times. He's someone I hold in high regard. We all tried to see if there was a way to convince him to stay, but it was a personal decision."
The mayor declared Pichardo has done a "fantastic job."
Pichardo was first appointed to the role last December, taking over for Rodney Harrison, who was promoted to Chief of Detectives when Dermot Shea was named Police Commissioner.
At the time of his promotion, Shea said he would play a part in helping the department further prevent crime.
“Rodney and Fausto bring tremendous leadership experience to their new positions, having served in critical executive roles, and leveraging Neighborhood Policing and precision policing to bring crime down to levels not seen since the 1950’s,” Shea said in December.
At the time, Pichardo said he was “grateful for this opportunity to continue supporting the thousands of patrol officers who, through Neighborhood Policing, both work to prevent crime from ever happening while also getting to the root of New Yorkers problems, solving them, and keeping people safe.”
Pichardo was the first Chief of Patrol of Dominican heritage in the department’s history.
On Wednesday, Shea described Pichardo's departure as a "gut punch."
"It's a huge hole to fill. He's such a well-rounded individual, he's a loss to the city. I wish him all the best of luck," Shea told NY1.
PBA President Patrick J. Lynch reacted to the news writing in a statement, "This is what happens when elected officials play political games with police department operations. Our top talent in all ranks is being driven out the door and public safety is suffering. City Hall's amateur-hour meddling has left the NYPD broken, almost beyond repair. We wish Chief Pichardo a long, happy and successful retirement. Wherever he goes next, they will be getting one of our finest."
Pichardo will remain on the job until mid-November.