Police Commissioner William Bratton announced Saturday that the role of first deputy commissioner—originally accepted by Chief of Department Philip Banks before he announced his resignation Friday—will be filled on Wednesday.
Just days after accepting a promotion to the role, Banks changed his mind and decided to retire—after 28 years on the force.
In an exclusive interview with NY1, Bratton said that he believes critics will be appeased by his new appointment.
“I’m very comfortable that a lot of the critics of the decision of Chief Banks to leave will be quite happy with the appointment that I will announce,” Bratton said. “I think people should feel very comfortable that the leadership represents the city.”
This after black and Latino police groups gathered Saturday to declare their fear that minorities are losing their representation within the NYPD.
“We believe that Bratton has orchestrated the elimination of minority representation in the New York City Police Department,” said Anthony Miranda of the National Latino Officers Association.
Sources familiar with the situation say negotiations broke down between Bratton and Banks over the role he would serve as second-in-command, a position seen by some as a low-visibility, behind-the-scenes job.
Roy Richter, president of the Captains Endowment Association expressed his surprise at Banks’ departure.
He said in a statement, “I was very surprised at Chief Banks’ sudden departure. Chief Banks had an extraordinary relationship with community leaders throughout New York City that was a great asset for the NYPD over the years. I wish him well as he transitions to the next stage of his life.”
Others argue something more duplicitous was going on.
“The way you get somebody to resign is by forcing them to take a job that they don’t want,” Miranda said.
Bratton maintains that wasn’t the case.
He says as the first deputy commissioner, Banks would have served as an important advisor to him. However, Bratton says since Banks has moved on, the new focus is finding the right fit.
“It’s not so much how they look; it’s how they perform. My first requirement was that they’re capable of doing the job,” Bratton said.
Many expressed concern because the department’s highest ranking Latino officer, First Deputy Commissioner Rafael Pineiro’s last day was also scheduled for Friday.
Sources tell us Pineiro refused to do a ceremonial walk-out on his last day—a sign he was forced out of the position.
He took to Twitter last night writing, quote, “It has been a privilege to serve among the extraordinary talent in the NYPD for the last 44-plus years. Thank you all!”
Banks and Pineiro were the two highest ranking black and Latino officers.
At his Saturday morning rally, the Reverend Al Sharpton seemed to agree with Bratton, saying that no matter who the NYPD now promotes to its top spots, the focus should be on finding the right person to help change police policy.
“Yes I want diversity. I want blacks and Latinos in senior positions but I want the right blacks and Latinos,” Sharpton said.
The NYPD will be holding a promotion ceremony on Monday, but Bratton says the announcement of the new First Deputy Commissioner will come Wednesday.
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