Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday introduced his choose for the town’s high public security function left vacant by his scandal-plagued pal Phil Banks — and sources hailed the alternative as a welcome “boring” various.
Chauncey Parker, who has labored almost 40 years in regulation enforcement, will take over the deputy mayor for public security put up 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 legal indictment and corruption probes encircling cronies he put in in high-level roles.
“If the mayor had appointed all these boring individuals to begin perhaps he wouldn’t be beneath indictment,” one Council supply quipped to The Publish.
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 stated.
However Banks’ decades-old friendship with Adams stored him insulated — at the least till federal brokers knocked on his door Sept. 4 and seized his digital units in what sources have stated is a corruption investigation.
After weeks of stress to resign — a span that noticed a number of different high officers ensnared within the feds’ net accomplish that, together with Banks’ brother, Faculties Chancellor David Banks — Banks lastly submitted his strolling papers Oct. 6.
The place was one among at the least 10 high-level spots in Adams’ administration with out a everlasting head amid a wave of exits because the feds turned up the warmth on Metropolis Corridor.
However some insiders have puzzled whether or not the Massive Apple even wants a deputy mayor for public security, given the town already has a police commissioner.
“Definitely 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 function, Parker’s ascension was greeted warmly.
Parker, a Duke College regulation college grad who served as an government 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 referred to as him the neatest individual in Adams’ administration.
One described Parker as all the time bringing a brown bag for lunch, despite the fact that he comes from cash.
“They don’t make public servants like this anymore,” the supply stated. “He actually cares in regards to the neighborhood.”
A former high NYPD government who labored with Parker referred to as him honorable and a very good alternative.
“I might dare anybody to say something dangerous about him,” the exec stated.
“He labored with Phil Banks and Banks had respect for him. He’s very sensible man very reliable. He didn’t become involved with any of the nonsense with Adams and Banks.”
One other Council supply referred to as Parker a consummate skilled who labored for each Democrats and Republicans.
“He’s one of many good guys,” the supply stated.
Adams, throughout his weekly information convention Tuesday, claimed that he fielded 9 requests from individuals outdoors Metropolis Corridor to fill Banks’ place.
He stated Parker was one of the best individual for the job.
“I’ve taken a unique strategy of public security within the metropolis, and we embrace each side of it, and Chauncey has already performed a serious function in bringing federal, state and native regulation enforcement entities collectively,” he stated.
Parker additionally careworn the significance of collaboration.
“In my virtually 40 years of working in legal justice, I believe crucial factor I’ve discovered is, what’s your North Star?” he stated. “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 stated final week was imminent.
He claimed 22 individuals have proven curiosity within the place, and in addition that stopgap Commissioner Tom Donlon is “full-time” at the same time as 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 stated. “And if there’s any modifications, we’re going to come back to this podium and make an announcement.”