Law enforcement veteran Chauncey Parker has been on the job for just over a week as New York City's new deputy mayor for public safety, but expressed confidence in his preparedness for the role.

“I have been preparing for this moment, I think, for 40 years of public service as a local prosecutor, federal prosecutor, working at the state police department. I feel like this is the opportunity of a lifetime for me, and it is really this opportunity to seize this moment to build partnerships across public safety, to enhance public safety across New York City,” Parker said during an interview Wednesday on “Mornings On 1.”

Parker, who had served as assistant deputy mayor for public safety since July, replaced Phil Banks, who resigned last week during a wave of departures from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. Parker's background includes roles as the NYPD's deputy commissioner for collaborative policing and director of criminal justice and commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice.

In his new role, Parker will be tasked with tackling the public’s perception of safety and acknowledged that many New Yorkers still feel uneasy with current crime trends, despite data showing improvements.

“I think the key thing is that, by crime statistics, New York City is very, very safe. And crime is down every month for the last several months. Gun violence is down almost 40% since the mayor took office. But those are statistics. I think the key thing with public safety, the North Star in public safety, that everybody shares, is to keep people safe with the lightest touch possible. And that’s what we’re going to accomplish by bringing all the partners to the table,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of listening to people on the ground, noting that meaningful solutions often come from direct engagement with New Yorkers.

“You got to get out of your office, and you got to listen. You got to talk to people who are on the ground, whether it's in an agency, talk to corrections officers who work at Rikers Island. Go to Rikers Island,” he said.

As Parker settles into his new role, however, Adams’ administration continues to face legal challenges. Adams has been charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery and soliciting illegal foreign donations. Parker said he has no involvement in the ongoing investigations.

“My focus, my entire career, has been getting the work done, and that’s all that touches me, and that’s all that I’m focused on, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do,” he said.