Two days after a highly decorated police chief with nearly 30 years on the job suddenly quit, Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton joined forces Sunday to show a united front.
De Blasio and Bratton wanted to set the record straight after a report in the New York Post claimed first lady Chirlane McCray blamed Bratton for Chief of Department Philip Banks' resignation on Friday.
Banks, the highest ranking black official in the NYPD, was set to be promoted to first deputy commissioner Monday.
De Blasio said his wife is a strong supporter of Bratton and that any reports saying otherwise are false.
"The first lady shares faith in this commissioner and the progress that's being made," de Blasio said.
McCray also denied the report in a statement Sunday, saying it "simply wasn't true."
"I admire Commissioner Bratton and the work he is doing," McCray said. "I have never questioned his integrity. I respect the decision of Chief of Department Philip Banks to resign."
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Bratton said his relationship with the mayor's family was strong. Of the eight mayors he has worked with in his career, Bratton said de Blasio was the “best one I ever worked for.”
On Sunday, Banks released a statement saying that while he felt serving as first deputy commissioner would have been an honor, it would have taken him too far from the police work he loves.
"I am at peace with my decision and ready to begin the next chapter," Banks said. "I have every confidence that Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton will continue to build a department which every New Yorker can be proud of."
Banks' replacement will be announced Wednesday.
