NYPD Announces New Head of Special Victims Division
May 11, 2022
Human-Trafficking Investigations Move to Survivor-Centric Unit
Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell today announced the appointment of Inspector Carlos Ortiz, a 25-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, to lead the NYPD's newly restructured Special Victims Division.
As the division's commanding officer, Inspector Ortiz will oversee a survivor-centric, evidence-driven investigative body that will now also have full responsibility for investigating human-trafficking cases previously handled by the NYPD’s Vice Unit. Placing these investigations under SVD’s purview will streamline cases and allow detectives to more effectively and efficiently serve survivors of all sexual offenses, while simultaneously building the strongest possible cases on their behalf.
Inspector Ortiz was chosen from among several other highly qualified executive finalists. Each of the candidates was interviewed and vetted by a group of NYPD leaders and survivors’ advocates.
"As our NYPD team comes into sharper focus, it is clear that Inspector Ortiz is the best-suited professional to take the helm of our Special Victims Division and to lead all of the dedicated individuals committed to this important and challenging work,” Commissioner Sewell said. "He has extensive investigative experience, and I am confident in his proven abilities to enhance our public safety mission and further strengthen our close working relationships with advocacy groups – whose own members were consulted in the selection process for this critical role."
A New York City native, Inspector Ortiz joined the NYPD in April 1997, and began his career on patrol at the 44th Precinct in the Bronx. He also served at Police Service Area 8 in the Bronx, Detective Borough Manhattan South, the 45th Precinct in the Bronx, Detective Borough Bronx, and Patrol Borough Manhattan North. He was promoted to sergeant in December 2002, lieutenant in October 2007, captain in April 2011, deputy inspector in June 2015, and inspector in November 2018.
He served as commanding officer of Detective Borough Bronx, Zones 7 and 20; Detective Borough Manhattan South Operations; and the 115th Precinct in Queens. He was also executive officer of the 24th and 32nd Precincts in Manhattan. Most recently, Inspector Ortiz was Special Projects Coordinator for the Patrol Services Bureau.
Inspector Ortiz earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from DePauw University in Indiana in 1992.
The NYPD is relentlessly focused on delivering justice to brave survivors of sexual assault and other offenses, beginning at the very first interaction and throughout the entire investigative process. Well-trained SVD investigators are deeply committed to doing everything necessary to ensure that survivors of all crimes feel the safety and support needed to come forward, to courageously share their experiences, and to help their police department deliver them justice.
Today’s announcement further fortifies SVD, adding to previous improvements such as: the assignment of additional investigators, implementation of enhanced training that amplifies the NYPD’s ability to respond to survivors, and improved collaboration with survivors' advocates to offer necessary support and services while conducting full and thorough investigations.
Additionally, Commissioner Sewell announced today the search for a subject-matter expert who will fill a new civilian director's position within SVD, further supporting the goals of the division and the police department as a whole.
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