Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly announced today that he has promoted Assistant Chief Philip Banks to Chief of Community Affairs.  The elevation makes the new three-star Bureau Chief the highest ranking uniformed African American in the Police Department.

Commissioner Kelly said: “After a highly successful tenure as commanding officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan North, Chief Banks assumes command of one of the department’s largest Bureaus.  Community Affairs is responsible for all aspects of police-community relations including new immigrant outreach, crime prevention, youth services, and the School Safety Division. In everything we do as a department, the key ingredient in our success is our partnership with the people we serve.  Time and again Chief Banks has proven his ability to work effectively with the community to support our efforts to reduce crime. As Executive Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, he helped lead the team that cut crime there by more than 17% in two-and-a-half years.  He was equally successful commanding the 79^th, 81^st, and Central Park Precincts.  Chief Banks brings an outstanding knowledge of New York and its diverse communities to this critical position.”

Chief Banks joined the Police Department in 1986 and began his career in the 81^st Precinct patrolling the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.  In addition to serving as Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Manhattan North, he has also served as Executive Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.  Chief Banks holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University, and is a 2001 graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.

William T. Morris, Commanding Officer of the Criminal Justice Bureau, was promoted to Assistant Chief. Chief Morris has also commanded the 45, 105 and 113 Precincts and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College and a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law. He is also a 1995 graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.

Commissioner Kelly said: “As Commanding Officer of the department’s Criminal Justice Bureau, Assistant Chief William Morris helps to coordinate the processing of all arrests in New York City. He sees to it that the transition from precinct to courtroom for arraignment goes smoothly and efficiently. The work requires close cooperation with all our partner agencies to share information, streamline procedures, and find solutions for each borough’s individual needs. This year, Chief Morris had the added responsibility of preparing a security plan for Lower Manhattan, when it looked as though the trial of five nine-eleven conspirators was going to be held here.”

In addition, Mary C. Cronin and Edward J. Mullen were promoted to Deputy Chief of the Quality Assurance Division and Deputy Chief of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, respectively.

“Chief Cronin’s skill and dedication in overseeing the testing and analysis of key crime-fighting programs have helped inspire the public’s confidence in the work of the Police Department,” Commissioner Kelly said.

Chief Cronin has commanded the 78 Precinct and has served as the Executive Officer of the 68 Precinct and the Quality Assurance Division. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Brooklyn College, and is a 2001 graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.

Chief Mullen also previously commanded the 78 and 113 Precincts, and the Queens North Narcotics District. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Marist College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from St. Joseph's College. Chief Mullen is a 2002 graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University.

Commissioner Kelly said: “New York City is the communications capital of the nation, if not the world, and the police department has a world-class public information division to match it. As commanding officer of DCPI, Deputy Chief Edward Mullen ensures that we fulfill our responsibility to share information with the media and with public quickly and accurately. We rely every day on his judgment and experience to help make this happen.”

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