Edward Caban, the first Hispanic police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), announced his resignation on Thursday, just a week after federal investigators raided his home and seized his electronic devices. The move comes amidst an ongoing investigation into potential corruption within Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
Caban, who was appointed to the top position in July 2023, sent a letter to the NYPD announcing his decision. “My complete focus has always been on the NYPD – the department and people I love and have dedicated over 30 years of service to,” he wrote. “However, the news around recent developments has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD.”
Edward Caban began his career with the NYPD in 1991 as a patrol officer in the Bronx, where he grew up. His father, Juan Caban, was also a member of the NYPD, serving as a transit detective. Caban quickly rose through the ranks, holding various positions such as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and inspector before being promoted to first deputy commissioner in 2022.
Last July, Mayor Adams appointed Caban as the 46th police commissioner, making him the first Hispanic to lead the nation’s largest police department. His appointment was seen as a significant milestone for diversity in law enforcement and a reflection of Adams’ commitment to representing the city’s diverse population.
However, Caban’s tenure was short-lived, with federal investigators targeting him and other senior officials in the mayor’s administration. Last week, agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York raided Caban’s home and seized his cellphones, as well as those of other NYPD executives and members of the mayor’s team.
While no charges have been filed against Caban or any of the other officials, the raids have raised questions about potential corruption within the administration. The investigation is said to focus on city contracts and the enforcement of regulations governing bars and clubs.
In a statement, Caban’s attorneys denied any wrongdoing on his part and said he “expects to cooperate fully with the government.” However, the ongoing investigation and media scrutiny proved too much for Caban to continue leading the NYPD.
“Commissioner Caban dedicated his life to making our city safe, and we saw a drop in crime for 13 of the 14 months that he served as commissioner,” Mayor Adams said at a press conference announcing Caban’s resignation. Adams named Tom Donlon, a retired FBI official with experience in homeland security, as the interim police commissioner.
Donlon, who previously led the FBI’s National Threat Center and the Office of Homeland Security in New York, said his goals are to continue reducing crime and removing illegal guns from communities, uphold integrity and transparency, and support dedicated officers. “I want to thank outgoing Commissioner Caban for his service to this department throughout his more than 30-year career,” Donlon said in a statement.