Politicians Show Frustration After a Police Chief’s Exit in New York

By JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN and MATT FLEGENHEIMER 12:00 PM ET

Despite efforts to address concerns, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William J. Bratton continue to draw criticism over the resignation of Philip Banks III.

Mr. Bratton’s comments followed an unusual news conference on Sunday, when he and the mayor made a show of unity, trying to disprove reports that City Hall — and in particular Mr. de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray — was angry that Mr. Bratton had managed to drive out Mr. Banks.

Their efforts seemed to have little effect. On Monday, a number of black elected officials — many of whom consider themselves allies of the mayor — suggested that City Hall should exert greater control over the Police Department’s leadership.

“When the top black and brown people resign from the N.Y.P.D., we’re worried that the atmosphere there is not yet ripe for the change we were hoping to see,” said Councilman Jumaane D. Williams of Brooklyn, a Democrat and a vocal critic of the police’s stop-and-frisk practices under the Michael R. Bloomberg administration.