NYPDHispanic Society

@NYPDPC 👏🏽💙

New York City, meet the hero cops who apprehended two individuals charged with ISIS-inspired terrorism last week. Our entire city owes these officers a debt of gratitude. They are a reminder that the safety and security of New York City rests on the judgment and courage of the men and women of the NYPD. On Saturday, March 7, that was on full display. When two IEDs were ignited in the middle of a crowded protest, these officers didn’t step back. They stepped forward without hesitation and without regard for their own safety. They acted on instinct and training to protect people they did not know and would likely never meet. Moments like that remind us what policing truly requires.

We also welcomed our new Deputy Commissioner for Employee Relations, Maria Otero. Maria joined the NYPD 33 years ago as a Police Administrative Aide. She is the first person in the history of the department to start as a PAA and rise all the way to the rank of Deputy Commissioner. This unprecedented achievement is a reflection of Maria’s work and commitment to the NYPD.

Last year, the NYPD delivered incredible public safety records, including the fewest shootings in recorded history. But success brings more responsibility, and as the standard rises, so does the obligation to meet it. That’s why promotions matter. They are decisions about who this department trusts to shoulder more responsibility, set higher expectations, and serve others at a greater scale. Yesterday, we promoted the men and women who continue to go after violence with focus and discipline and make this city safer.

Yesterday, we honored the remarkable life of Police Officer Kevin Lee, whose bravery and sacrifice continue to define the very best of the NYPD. Officer Lee’s courage, compassion, and deep commitment to others led him to his lifelong dream of joining the NYPD. Those values were on full display that tragic day 20 years ago, when he ran toward danger in service of New Yorkers. In the years since, his parents Gil and Cathy have shown up in incredible ways for the NYPD. They have embraced this department unconditionally, and their family in blue will always support them in return. Officer Lee’s legacy is embedded in the work we carry forward, shaping the responsibility shared by every officer that wears his uniform. May his memory be a blessing.

After conducting a car stop and apprehending the driver, NYPD officers recovered an illegal firearm along with a large quantity of packaged drugs from the vehicle. Keeping dangerous guns and drugs off our streets — one stop at a time.

Nine years ago today, Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo was ruthlessly murdered in the line of duty. Over the years, we’ve honored Paul in so many ways, but today is unique because we get to bring a little part of Paul home to his family. Paul loved to restore old cars, and thanks to the generosity of so many people and organizations, we were able to restore the Ford Mustang he was working on at the time of his death. We often talk about finishing the work our fallen NYPD heroes started, and today we were able to do that for Paul. May his memory continue to be a blessing.

I am deeply saddened to share the passing of Rabbi Alvin Kass, our Chief Chaplain, and one of the longest-serving members of the New York City Police Department. Rabbi Kass joined the NYPD in 1966, at the age of 30, becoming the youngest chaplain in the Department’s history. Nearly six decades later, he remained its spiritual heart — a source of strength, guidance, and faith for generations of police officers and their families. A U.S. Air Force veteran and Columbia graduate, Rabbi Kass devoted his life to service, to this city, and to the women and men of the NYPD. He comforted the grieving, counseled the troubled, and reminded all of us of the deeper purpose in what we do. He was among the first to respond after 9/11, consoling the families of the 23 officers we lost that day. And for more than half a century, he stood beside our members through moments of tragedy and triumph alike. At every Police Academy graduation, Rabbi Kass offered his familiar blessing — a prayer that New York be “a place where people of every race, religion, color, and creed can pursue their individual destinies untrammeled, unafraid, and in obedience to Thy will.” Today, that prayer belongs to all of us. And as we carry his words forward, we know he will still be watching over the city and the Department he loved. His loss is immeasurable. His example is everlasting. May his memory be a blessing.

Full-circle moment. @NYPDChiefOfPatrol Philip Rivera, the department’s highest-ranking Hispanic officer, returned to @NYPD46Pct, where his career began. Alongside his father, Retired Lt. Andrew Rivera, he addressed roll call and honored family and legacy. #HispanicHeritageMonth

Last night, the NYPD was proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at 1PP with @NYPDHispanic and @NYDO_1993, two incredible organizations that have long been a source of mentorship, strength, and community. The contributions of our Hispanic members are felt at every level of the NYPD — from the executives who lead the largest police department in the nation to the cops on patrol fighting crime in the street. They not only keep us safe, they inspire a new generation to join this noble profession. Hispanic police officers are the largest and fastest growing demographic in the NYPD, now representing 37% of all police officers. That’s not just a symbolic number. That’s a systemic shift that ensures that the NYPD continues to look like New York City itself — diverse, dynamic, and deeply proud of its roots. Together, we celebrate the shared responsibility of building a department that not only protects this city but truly represents it.

Today, @NYCMayor, @QueensDAKatz, and I announced the takedown of 12 members of a violent gang that terrorized communities in southeast Queens. They engaged in a campaign of ruthless violence and are responsible for the vast majority of shootings that occurred in those neighborhoods over the past year. Thanks to the work and persistence of the best detectives in the world, their reign of terror is now over. abc7ny.com/post/queens-ga…

Being part of the hard-working NYPD isn't just about running into dangerous buildings or going after bad guys with guns, it's about making sure our children and families are SAFE. Heroes like Officer Jacob Gonzalez make us proud every day. Thank you for your dedication!

Officer Didarul Islam was called to New York City by the promise of a better life. He fulfilled that promise through service.   But it was the man beneath the shield — steady in spirit, generous in presence — who left the deeper imprint.   Everything for him was about building something — for his family, his mosque, his adopted city, and his relatives back in Bangladesh. They were all in his care, and he found peace in watching them grow.   Officer Islam’s journey is now stitched into the fabric of this city: the hope of an immigrant, the strength of a family, the quiet resolve to serve the place that had taken him in and made him its own.   There’s a belief in Islam — Sadaqah Jariyah — that the good we do in this world doesn’t end when we do. That there is true power in good deeds, and a life of service leaves a lasting trace.   Officer Islam’s watch may be over. But his impact will never be.   In the NYPD, there are certain honors that carry deep meaning — not because they mark a destination, but because they speak to the path it took to get there. To the service given, the sacrifices made, and the legacy left behind.   So today, it is my honor and great privilege to promote Police Officer Didarul Islam to Detective First Grade.   Detective First Grade is one of this department’s most respected honors — a symbol of trust, excellence, and the kind of judgment others depend on.   And while Detective First Grade Didarul Islam didn’t have the time to walk that full path, he embodied those qualities and more — steadiness, selflessness, and a commitment to serve.   May his memory be a blessing.

Before tonight's game, we held a moment of silence in memoriam of NYPD Police Officer Didarul Islam, who was tragically killed in the midtown shooting yesterday. The entire Yankees organization sends its condolences to his family as well as to the families of the other victims of this senseless act of violence.

Police Officer Didarul Islam represented the very best of our department.  He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short today. We join in prayer during this time of incomprehensible pain. We will forever honor his legacy. #FidelisAdMortem

Battle of the Badges is BACK! 👨‍🚒👮‍♂️ Watch @FDNY take on @NYPDnews in the annual charity baseball game presented by Your Local Ford Stores at @CitiField on Aug. 17! 🎟️👉 bit.ly/BattleoftheBad…

TRO REMAINS IN PLACE: The PBA appeared in court, with @NYPD_Guardians and @NYPDHispanic standing in solidarity, to block the NYPD’s decision to terminate more than two dozen NYC police officers. The temporary restraining order has been continued. Next court filings due in 60 days. We’re grateful that the judge recognized the impact this sudden action would have on our members’ lives and families. We will continue the fight going forward.

The DEA had the honor of visiting retired Detective Second Grade Carlos “Charlie” Rivera and his beloved family. Det. Rivera, a proud National Guardsman and NYPD veteran, began his remarkable career at the 46 Precinct in 1960 and retired from the Bronx Homicide Task Force in 1986. He was also one of the earliest members of the NYPD Hispanic Society. As he now receives care from the Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County, we joined his wife, Nildalina, their three children, and his grandchildren to celebrate his unwavering commitment to service — proudly presenting a DEA retirement certificate. Joining the visit were DEA Board Officers Gilberto Ortiz, Tony Casilla, Carlos Lozada, and Cristina Reyes, along with current Bronx Homicide Squad Detectives Arelis Collazo and Frank Delgado, and department Chaplain Rev. Jonathan Recabarren. The union was especially honored to help Det. Rivera celebrate his wife, Nildalina’s, 89th birthday as part of the gathering. 🎉

NYC is a vibrant melting pot of cultures. The NYPD celebrated that diversity with the Carnival Cubano Parade in Manhattan, followed by the Bolivian Day Parade in Queens. As always, our officers not only marched in the parades, but also ensured the safety of the parade routes.