Philip Banks III (born December 25, 1962) is the former Deputy Mayor of New York City for Public Safety[2] and a retired law enforcement officer who served as NYPD chief of department in 2013 and 2014.[3] As Chief of Department, Banks oversaw all patrol and specialty units. He resigned in the midst of the investigations into the Eric Adams administration.
Phil Banks | |
|---|---|
 Banks in 2023 | |
| Deputy Mayor of New York City for Public Safety | |
| In office January 7, 2022 – October 7, 2024 | |
| Mayor | Eric Adams |
| Preceded by | Milton Mollen[1] |
| Succeeded by | Chauncey Parker |
| Chief of the New York City Police Department | |
| In office March 28, 2013 – October 31, 2014 | |
| Appointed by | Raymond Kelly |
| Mayor | Bill de Blasio |
| Preceded by | Joseph Esposito |
| Succeeded by | James P. O'Neill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Banks III December 25, 1962 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Relatives | David C. Banks (brother) Terence Banks (brother) Sheena Wright (sister-in-law) Tanya Wright (sister-in-law) |
| Education | Lincoln University (BS) |
Life and Education
editBanks's mother was a secretary and his father, Philip Banks Jr., was a lieutenant in the New York City Police Department. Banks grew up in Southeast Queens. He has two brothers, including David C. Banks, has been appointed as New York City Schools Chancellor and Terence Banks, a former MTA official who retired in 2023 after 25 years. Banks earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University and graduated from the two-week long Police Management Institute at Columbia University in 2001.[4][5] Banks is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Mu chapter.[6]
Career
editNew York Police Department
editBanks joined the New York City Police Department in July 1986 and began his career on patrol in the 81st Precinct. He was promoted to sergeant in March 1994, lieutenant in May 1997, captain in September 1999, deputy inspector in June 2001, inspector in December 2003, deputy chief in December 2006, and assistant chief in June 2009. He has served in the 70th, 73rd, 79th, 81st, 90th and Central Park precincts in addition to the Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Harbor Unit, and School Safety Division Investigations Unit.
Banks most recently served as chief of the Community Affairs Bureau. Prior to commanding the Community Affairs Bureau, he was the commanding officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan North and has also commanded the 79th, 81st and Central Park precincts. He has also served as executive officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South and the 73rd Precinct.
He was named the first deputy commissioner, replacing Rafael Piñeiro upon his retirement.[7]
Resignation
editAfter completing a 27-year career with NYPD, Banks resigned from his position as chief of department on October 31, 2014, citing a mix of personal and professional reasons.[8] Speaking to reporters outside City Hall, Commissioner William Bratton said he would accept Banks's resignation "with great regret."[9] It was later revealed that Banks resigned after he found out he was being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for having $300,000 of unexplained cash in his bank account.[10]
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety
editBanks is the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety under Eric Adams.
The FBI searched his home in Hollis, Queens in September 2024.[11] He resigned in the midst of the investigations into the Eric Adams administration.
References
edit- ^ "Milton Mollen". Encyclopedia of Things. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Philip Banks, Embattled Top Adams Aide, Resigns".
- ^ "NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks III says he was stopped by police in college, and 'didn't like it'". NY Daily News. March 29, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ "NYPD – Administration". Nyc.gov. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ Ruderman, Wendy (March 27, 2013). "New Police Chief Appointee Is Hailed as a 'Bridge Builder'". The New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
- ^ "Lincoln Alum and NYC Police Chief Philip Banks '84 Stresses Empathetic Approach As Success Key". Gdiconnect.com. Lincoln Lion. p. 27. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
- ^ "Philip Banks, NYPD's third in command, is promoted to first deputy commissioner". NY Daily News. October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- ^ "NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks resigns after 28 years on force: sources". NY Daily News. October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- ^ Paybarah, Azi (October 31, 2014). "Bratton on resignation of 'right-hand man'". Capital. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- ^ "Philip Banks III, once the NYPD's highest-ranking uniformed member, suddenly resigned in 2014 amid an FBI probe. Now he's working out of police headquarters and has interviewed commissioner candidates, sources say. He's also on Adams' short list to become a deputy mayor". December 14, 2021.
- ^ Smith, Greg B.; Honan, Katie; Hogan, Gwynne (September 5, 2024). "FBI Raids Homes of Two Top Eric Adams Deputies". The City. Retrieved September 5, 2024.