The resignation of one of New York's top cops is sparking an emotional response from some city leaders.

With Chief Philip Banks stepping down, some say they are concerned about how reforms in communities of color will be policed. Banks, who was the highest ranking African-American officer on the force, resigned on Friday.

He stepped down nearly two months after former First Deputy Police Commissioner Rafael Pineiro retired from the force. Pineiro was the highest ranking Hispanic officer in the NYPD.

While elected officials are disappointed over the resignation of Banks, they say they will continue to communicate with Mayor Bill de Blasio over the need for change. They say they want to make sure the needs of black and Latino communities in the city are not overlooked, especially when it comes to policing by the NYPD.

The mayor and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton responded to Banks' resignation in a news conference on Sunday. Bratton says he hopes to announce a replacement for Banks on Wednesday.