Top African American NYPD Officer Quits Suddenly

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Philip Banks quits after 28 years

Philip Banks the highest-ranking African American police officer on the New York Police Department (NYPD) has resigned only days before he was to assume a new post after being promoted to First Deputy Police Commissioner.

Banks, Chief of Department, had been 28 years on the police force and when Mayor Bill de Blasio won election for mayor it was initially believed he would become Police Commissioner. But de Blasio brought in the controversial Bill Bratton to head the police department.

Bratton was denounced by activist for his support of stop-and-frisk and police strategies such as the so-called “broken windows” approach which promotes aggressive interaction with civilians involved in minor transgressions on the supposed conviction that it deters major crimes. Bratton was widely criticized when a police officer named Daniel Pantaleo strangled to death Eric Garner, using the banned chokehold, for allegedly selling loose cigarettes on July 17, on Staten Island.

In a statement following Banks’ resignation, Mayor de Blasio said: “New York City is the safest big city in America thanks to the brave, dedicated men and women of the NYPD. We were disappointed to hear of Chief Philip Banks’ personal decision to step down. 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.”

 

 

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