[PHOTO LINK BELOW] Community Leaders along with top NYPD brass got together at the Misaskim headquarters to congratulate newly appointed Chief Philip Banks, as chief of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau.

Banks, a 24-year veteran, is the highest-ranking black uniformed officer, and served as a Executive Chief in Brooklyn South, and most recently as Assistant Chief of Patrol Borough Manhattan North.  Chief Banks replaced retiring Chief Donald Zeigler.

The Community Affairs Bureau is considered vital to maintaining a working relationship between police and the city’s myriad neighborhoods, particularly minority communities.

Banks, 47, is considered a rising star in the NYPD and has generally received high marks from locals in different neighborhoods.

Representatives from Hatzolah, Shomrim of Williamsburg & Boro Park, Maimonides Hospital, Councilman Greenfield, Chaveirim, and Misaskim were in attendance, and had the opportunity to personally congratulate the Chief.

“Chief Banks has proven himself over and over to assisting the community in time of need”, Rabbi Yanky Meyer of Misaskim said. “When he was in Brooklyn, and when he was in Manhattan, he always helped us tremendously.”

Rabbi Meyer mentioned the cold-blooded murder of a Frum Manhattan jeweler, and spoke about how the Chief was on the phone repeatedly throughout the night from his home, to ensure proper Kavod Haniftar.

Rabbi Abe Friedman, NYPD Liaison to Community Affairs Bureau and to the Office of Homeland security said that “Chief Ziegler was a great leader and an example of a commander when it comes to Community affairs. I wish him well on his retirement, and at the same time Congratulate Chief Phil Banks, for his promotion to the Community Affairs Bureau. I commend NYPD Commissioner Kelly for appointing Chief Banks, who has a great history in dealings with all the communities in NYC.”

NYC Councilman David Greenfield addressed the gathering, as well as words from Chief Banks.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by Hillel Engel for YWN.

(Moshe Altusky – YWN)