Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday introduced his decide for town’s prime public security position left vacant by his scandal-plagued pal Phil Banks — and sources hailed the substitute as a welcome “boring” various.
Chauncey Parker, who has labored almost 40 years in legislation enforcement, will take over the deputy mayor for public security submit left vacant after Banks resigned beneath a cloud of federal scrutiny.
The appointment of Parker drew a not too long ago uncommon present of reward for Adams amid his prison indictment and corruption probes encircling cronies he put in in high-level roles.
“If the mayor had appointed all these boring folks to begin perhaps he wouldn’t be beneath indictment,” one Council supply quipped to The Put up.
Banks was already considerably notorious when Adams tapped him in 2022 to function deputy mayor for public security — a place that no New York Metropolis mayor had used since David Dinkins within the Nineteen Nineties.
The previous NYPD official was an unindicted co-conspirator in a police bribery scandal, which yielded pictures of Banks floating within the Lifeless Sea as proof in a federal trial.
Banks additionally wanted a particular waiver to gather a each his cop pension and the $250,000 wage for the Metropolis Corridor job.
As deputy mayor, Banks continued to courtroom controversy.
Adams’ first NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell resigned due to frustrations from Banks and his allies meddling with the police division, sources have mentioned.
However Banks’ decades-old friendship with Adams stored him insulated — at the very least till federal brokers knocked on his door Sept. 4 and seized his digital units in what sources have mentioned is a corruption investigation.
After weeks of strain to resign — a span that noticed a number of different prime officers ensnared within the feds’ internet accomplish that, together with Banks’ brother, Faculties Chancellor David Banks — Banks lastly submitted his strolling papers Oct. 6.
The place was one in all at the very least 10 high-level spots in Adams’ administration and not using a everlasting head amid a wave of exits because the feds turned up the warmth on Metropolis Corridor.
However some insiders have questioned whether or not the Huge Apple even wants a deputy mayor for public security, given town already has a police commissioner.
“Actually a job that may be eradicated!” former Councilman Sal Albanese wrote on X. “DM for Public Security, no actual want for it!”
Even with doubts over the necessity for the position, Parker’s ascension was greeted warmly.
Parker, a Duke College legislation faculty grad who served as an govt assistant district legal professional within the Manhattan DA’s workplace, amongst many different roles, had served as Banks’ assistant deputy mayor.
Two sources who labored for years with Parker known as him the neatest individual in Adams’ administration.
One described Parker as all the time bringing a brown bag for lunch, although he comes from cash.
“They don’t make public servants like this anymore,” the supply mentioned. “He actually cares concerning the neighborhood.”
A former prime NYPD govt who labored with Parker known as him honorable and a very good selection.
“I’d dare anybody to say something unhealthy about him,” the exec mentioned.
“He labored with Phil Banks and Banks had respect for him. He’s very sensible man very reliable. He didn’t get entangled with any of the nonsense with Adams and Banks.”
One other Council supply known as Parker a consummate skilled who labored for each Democrats and Republicans.
“He’s one of many good guys,” the supply mentioned.
Adams, throughout his weekly information convention Tuesday, claimed that he fielded 9 requests from folks exterior Metropolis Corridor to fill Banks’ place.
He mentioned Parker was the perfect individual for the job.
“I’ve taken a unique strategy of public security within the metropolis, and we embody each side of it, and Chauncey has already performed a serious position in bringing federal, state and native legislation enforcement entities collectively,” he mentioned.
Parker additionally burdened the significance of collaboration.
“In my virtually 40 years of working in prison justice, I feel an important factor I’ve realized is, what’s your North Star?” he mentioned. “And that could be a energy of partnership, how we’re all the time a lot stronger and higher once we work collectively.”
The mayor, nevertheless, gave no hints as when he’d faucet a everlasting NYPD commissioner — an appointment that sources mentioned final week was imminent.
He claimed 22 folks have proven curiosity within the place, and likewise that stopgap Commissioner Tom Donlon is “full-time” whilst he serves on an interim foundation.
“When individuals are within the job, they need to do the job, and that’s what he’s doing, and that’s what I anticipate,” Adams mentioned. “And if there’s any modifications, we’re going to come back to this podium and make an announcement.”
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