Reports indicate that Police Chief Philip Banks III is resigning.
Serving the NYPD with a career that spanned nearly 30 years, Banks was expected to take a position a first deputy commissioner.
“I believe it is the right — frankly, the responsibility — of the Commissioner to select whomever he wants to help lead the department and assign responsibilities as he sees fit,” Banks said in a statement. “In this case, while serving as First Deputy Commissioner would have been an honor, I felt that the position would take me away from where I could make the greatest contribution: the police work and operations that I love so much.”
NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton announced the appointment on Wednesday and Banks was suppose to start the position on Nov. 3.
Banks joined the NYPD in 1986 and started as a patrolman in the 81st Precinct. Banks joined the NYPD in July 1986 and began his career on patrol in the 81st Precinct. His climb as a company man was steady—from deputy inspector in June 2001, to chief of community affairs in July 2001 and chief of department on March 28, 2013.
In high-profile cases, such as those of Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, Ramarley Graham, Avonte Oquendo, Kimani Gray and, most recently, Eric Garner, Banks has always been a visible presence on the scene.
During an April 2013 interview, when asked about the strained police/Black/Brown community dynamic, the Brooklyn native said, “I don’t believe there is a negative relationship. The press reports that negative interaction, but there’s a host of people who feel there is a positive reaction.”
Banks declared, “I am a firm believer that the police are part of the community and the community are the police. The community has to realize that they play a key part in policing their city, and when the job is left to the police department, you have these particular problems. … I envision that we all come together on this particular issue—gun violence, robbery reduction, crime reduction and better quality of life—we’re all in this together.”
With the election of Bill de Blasio as mayor, Banks was a contender for NYPD Commissioner.
Politicians and activists from around the city are expressing disappointment with the news that Chief Banks is leaving. News that Police Commissioner Bratton determined his new position to be largely ceremonial, is being cited as the main reason why Banks – with real plans to introduce policies to make improvements to the NYPD, especially with regards to improving relations with the inner city communities; decide to up and leave.
On Saturday, the Rev. Al Sharpton spoke about the need for Banks’ replacement to be another person of color. Speaking at his weekly rally at the National Action Network, Shaprton said having another a person of color in leadership in the NYPD is crucial to police-community relations.
“Yes, I want diversity. Yes, I want blacks and Latinos in senior positions, but I want the right blacks and Latinos,” Sharpton said.
Lately, criticism has been heavy over the NYPD’s lack of diversity when it comes to leadership.
“I am outraged and angered over the abrupt departure of NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks, who was supposed to be promoted on Monday to first deputy commissioner,” said Council Member Andy King, co-chair of the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus. “I believe the treatment of Banks, a 28-year veteran of the force who should have been named Police Commissioner under the new Administration, was unwarranted. As the highest ranking black official in the NYPD, Banks has always been a familiar face in our communities of color, particularly in times of conflict and resolution. His fairness and firmness to address and maintain positive community relations will be solely missed. This is a big loss and a black eye for the NYPD.”
Mayor de Blasio has also voiced his concern over Banks’ resignation.
“He has served New York City admirably during his nearly 30 years on the force, and we were enthusiastic about the leadership and energy he would have brought to the position of First Deputy Commissioner,” the mayor said in a statement.
Reports indicate that Bratton will announce Banks’ replacement on Wednesday.
