Mayor Eric Adams Appoints New Deputy Mayor for Public Safety
On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of a seasoned law enforcement expert, Chauncey Parker, as the new deputy mayor for public safety. This decision comes in the wake of the resignation of Philip B. Banks III, who stepped down last week amid growing corruption investigations surrounding City Hall.
Mr. Adams revealed that Mr. Parker will succeed Mr. Banks, a close friend of the mayor and one of five high-ranking city officials to depart the Adams administration following the seizure of their cellphones by investigators. Mr. Parker, 64, brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as a deputy commissioner in the Police Department overseeing public safety initiatives. Additionally, he has worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, the very office that charged Mr. Adams last month with bribery and fraud.
“Chauncey has been a leader in this area for over 40 years,” Mr. Adams stated during a news conference held at City Hall. “He has worked at all levels of government.” The mayor emphasized the importance of building partnerships in the current climate, stating, “Building bridges is what we believe is needed now.”
This appointment marks a notable shift for the mayor, who has frequently chosen close allies for significant public safety roles. Interestingly, Mr. Parker does not seem to be part of Mr. Adams’s immediate circle. Similarly, Thomas Donlon, a former F.B.I. agent, was appointed as the interim police commissioner last month following the resignation of Edward A. Caban.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who possesses the authority to remove Mr. Adams from office, has publicly called for the mayor to dismiss city officials implicated in ongoing investigations. Those who have recently left include Caban, Timothy Pearson (a close aide to the mayor), Banks, his brother David Banks (the former schools chancellor), and Sheena Wright (the former first deputy mayor and David Banks’s wife).
Mr. Parker’s journey in public service began alongside Mr. Banks in July as the assistant deputy mayor for public safety. His extensive background in law enforcement includes serving as a prosecutor for the Manhattan district attorney and as the commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Moreover, he has directed a multiagency initiative aimed at combating drug trafficking in both New York and New Jersey. Mr. Parker holds a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and a law degree from Duke University.
The position of deputy mayor for public safety was established by Mr. Adams, and Mr. Banks, who earned an annual salary of $251,000, held significant influence over both the Police and Fire Departments. As the new deputy mayor, Mr. Parker is expected to address several pressing issues, including:
- Gun violence
- Crimes involving minors
- Reducing the Fire Department’s emergency response time
“Those key agencies I work with very, very closely,” Mr. Parker noted during the news conference, “will be yearning for us to do everything we can to form these partnerships for the mayor and for this city.”