New York City officials were surprised after the city's highest ranking African-American police official stepped down instead of taking on a new post while ties between the law enforcement and minority communities are undergoing amends.

Instead of accepting the job of being second in command as the New York Police Department's first deputy commissioner, Chief Philip Banks III announced his retirement.

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According to Commissioner William Bratton, Banks was supposed to be promoted to his new position effective Monday when he told them that he quit because of "personal and professional factors."

Reports indicated that the position offered to Banks was mainly ceremonial and is stripped of authority though Bratton explained otherwise.

He explained that the deputy commissioner's post is one of the most important positions in the police force following that of the commissioner and that it has been included with an expanded array of duties which would require Banks' experience as chief of community affairs.

"I think the world of Chief Banks. He's been a very able and capable partner," Bratton further added noting that the highest ranking black official in the police force could have helped rekindle the long-forgotten trust among the divided community.

The 51-year-old chief had been in service since March 2013 and worked under the supervision of former Commissioner Raymond Kelly though he had been a veteran of the police force since 1986.

Banks also worked as the commanding officer of a patrol borough in Manhattan and several other precincts.

Officials including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who recently established a strained relationship with the department after he sided with NYPD critic Al Sharpton, expressed their disappointment at Banks' decision.

"He has served New York City admirably during his nearly 30 years on the force, and we were enthusiastic about the leadership and energy he would have brought to the position of First Deputy Commissioner," he said.

TagsNYPD, Philip Banks III, police