Bratton Denies First Deputy Forced Out

By Elizabeth Kelly

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton on Tuesday denied published reports that the police department’s second highest officer was forced to retire.

At a press conference, Bratton asserted he had nothing to do with first deputy commissioner Rafael Pineiro’s resignation.

The department is  “going through a lot of change all the time,” Bratton added.

Pineiro stepping down as the first deputy commissioner of the department came as a shock to many, especially because earlier this year Hispanic police leaders were told that Pineiro would be staying on Bratton’s command staff. After the election of Bill de Blasio as mayor, Piniero’s name was widely floated as a possible successor to departing Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Bratton added that five or six promotions and a couple of deputy commissioner’s would be appointed  as part of the “continuing evolution and continuation of the organization.”

Some observers noted that the departure of Pineiro — the force’s highest ranking Hispanic —  was inopportune, coming as it does could during Hispanic history month. But according to Bratton, this was not an issue.

“You try to work things out to the best of your ability, but the organization’s needs come first,” said Bratton.

Bratton made his remarks on the Brooklyn waterfront as he launched two new vessels to the department’s harbor unit.

The high-tech vessels were named in memory of two fallen officers, Harry R. Ryman and Joseph P. McCormack who were killed in the line of duty.

They were described as the largest and fastest boats in the fleet and part of  counter-terrorism efforts. The vessels also will be used for rescue operations, searches for people and evidence, and inspecting piers and sea walls.