Mayor Adams Appoints Philip Banks as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety

January 7, 2022

NEW YORK – Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Philip Banks III as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. He most recently served as the New York City Police Department (NYPD) chief of department. As deputy mayor, Banks will be tasked with coordinating all agencies on public safety matters to ensure they align with the Mayor’s vision. Mayor Adams noted Banks’ long and distinguished career in law enforcement, and how he is well-suited to fill the role of the City’s first deputy mayor for public safety since the 1990s. 

“I say it often: Public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity. As someone who wore a bulletproof vest protecting the children and families of this city for 22 years, and now has the privilege of serving as mayor, I need a partner in government who understands what it takes to keep New Yorkers safe. Phil Banks is that person, and I am grateful for his continued public service in this new role to help our administration deliver the safety we need and the justice we deserve,” said Mayor Eric Adams. 

“I thank Mayor Adams for appointing me as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. The fact that he is restoring this position in his administration speaks volumes about how dedicated he is to tackling the real public safety crisis on our streets. My goal will be to carry out the Mayor’s plan, working with all City agencies to make this a safer, more equitable city for all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. 

“Congratulations to Deputy Mayor Banks on his historic appointment as deputy mayor of public safety, the first to be appointed since former mayor David Dinkins did so Like Mayor Dinkins, Mayor Adams understands how essential it is that we get public safety right, protecting our most vulnerable in the right way,” said National Action Network Founder and President Reverend Al Sharpton.

“Chief Banks has always been there for our community. He has been a faithful servant and a man for all seasons. We trust him,” said NAACP New York State Conference President Dr. Hazel Dukes.

Banks joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1986, beginning his career on patrol in the 81st Precinct. In 2010 he was appointed Chief of Community Affairs, a role he served in before being appointed chief of department in 2013. Banks earned a B.S. in business administration from Lincoln University. He is a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University, and has completed advanced management training for senior executives in state and local government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Executive Leaders Program in Counterterrorism at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. Banks is also a member of the founding chapter of the philanthropic institution 100 Black Men, Inc. and has served on the board of South Bronx Overall Development Corporation. He has also served as adviser to a number of mid- and large­-sized cities on best practices for implementing relationship­-based solutions to address public safety challenges.

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