On Monday, the New York Police Department announced that its highest-ranking Latino officer, first deputy commissioner Rafael Pineiro, will retire effective Oct. 31, sparking speculation that he is being pushed out of the force.

According to The New York Times, no one gave a reason for Pineiro's retirement, and a NYPD spokesman refused to comment.

An anonymous "high-ranking Police Department official" said that Pineiro was surprised when he found out he was leaving, which is reportedly part of police commissioner William J. Bratton's changes this year.

"He was forced out," the source said.

According to Fox News Latino, Pineiro joined the force in 1970. In 2010, the now 65-year-old became the department's No. 2.

"This is the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and what they do is force the highest ranking Hispanic member of the police department out of his job," Anthony Miranda, chairman of the National Latino Officers Association, said. "There is not a justifiable reason to force this man from his job."

Pineiro was a favorite for the police commissioner position before Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Bratton last year. NLOA believes that de Blasio and Bratton are making Pineiro retire.

"2014 Hispanic Heritage Month will be a time of mourning knowing that regardless of his professional and academic accomplishments, the force's highest ranking Latino officer was let go so quickly," the group said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Bratton told the Wall Street Journal that there is no "bad blood" between him and Pineiro.

"He's an exceptional individual and professional," he said. "Time marches on, if you will, and with time marching on, changes occur, personnel changes and organizational changes."

Miranda told The New York Times that Bratton informed Hispanic police leaders of Pineiro's remaining on the force and that Pineiro's departure is "a betrayal to the Hispanic community."

When he was 12-years-old, Pineiro came to the United States from Cuba, FNL reports. Since Pineiro has joined the NYPD, the department's Latino population has increased from 1 percent to 25 percent.

According to The New York Times, Chief Philip Banks III, the chief of department, is suspected as a potential successor to Pineiro.

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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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