A Queens officer has risen in the ranks of the NYPD, and has found himself at the very top.
Philip Banks of St. Albans was appointed as the Police Department’s new Chief of Department. The 26-year veteran and current Chief of Community Affairs was officially installed as the NYPD’s highest ranking uniformed officer at a promotion ceremony on Thursday, March 28 at police headquarters, following the retirement of former Chief Joseph Esposito.
“Banks has proven himself time and time again to be as outstanding a field commander, adept in managing police personnel and operations, as he has a consummate builder of community relations,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
Kelly also noted that programs such as the New-Immigrant Outreach and Crime Prevention as well as School Safety and Juvenile Justice Divisions have flourished under Banks’ command. As Chief of Department, Banks will be responsible for all police operations.
Banks became a member of the NYPD in 1986, and began his career on patrol in the 81st Precinct. He rose in the ranks from sergeant all the way to assistant chief over the course of two decades, and has served in precincts in both Manhattan and Brooklyn.
In 2010, Banks was appointed Chief of Community Affairs. Before his appointment, he served as Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan North and also commanded the 79th, 81st and Central Park Precincts. He also served as Executive Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South and of the 73rd Precinct.
Before beginning his police career, Banks received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Lincoln University. He graduated in 2001 from the Police Management Institution at Columbia University, and also completed advanced management training as well as an executive leaders program in counterterrorism at the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security.
As a member of the NYPD, Banks is following in the footsteps of his father, who is a retired lieutenant. His positions included co-director of the Police Commissioner’s security detail, executive officer in the Bias Crime Unit and commanding officer of the Recruitment Section.
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