NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban Steps Down

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned amid a federal corruption investigation.

At a Glance

New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban announced his resignation on Thursday, September 12 amid a corruption investigation.
Multiple criminal probes have been launched into the city government, involving officials including Caban.
Mayor Eric Adams appointed Tom Donlon as the new interim police commissioner.
Caban announced his resignation in a letter, citing the need for someone to solely focus on the NYPD.

NYPD Commissioner Resigns Amid Investigation

New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned after federal authorities raided his home and took his phone. Multiple criminal probes have been launched into the city government, implicating officials including Caban. Investigators are looking into potential corruption and whether officers were pressured to target clubs not doing business with Caban’s brother, James.

Mayor Eric Adams appointed Tom Donlon as the new interim police commissioner. Donlon previously ran the FBI’s National Threat Center and played a role in investigating the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. His appointment is notable as he lacks prior experience in a local police department, a decision seen by some as both strategic and risky.

Breaking news: New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban announced his resignation Thursday, about a week after his electronics were seized in an ongoing federal investigation into potential corruption. https://t.co/gHqhl8V9vY

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 12, 2024

Federal Raids and Resignation

Mayor Adams and key officials, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III, had their homes raided, with phones seized. Federal authorities are investigating if James Caban profited from his NYPD ties and if nightclubs received special treatment. Despite no charges being filed and officials maintaining there was no wrongdoing, the situation created significant distraction within the police department.

“Commissioner Caban is an accomplished public servant who has dedicated his life to the safety and security of the people of this great city and maintains unwavering respect for the women and men of the New York City Police Department,” Russell Capone and Rebekah Donaleski, partners at Cooley LLP, said in a statement on Thursday, the same day Caban announced his resignation. “We have been informed by the government that he is not a target of any investigation being conducted by the Southern District of New York, and he expects to cooperate fully with the government.”

In a resignation letter, Caban expressed the need for focused leadership and the negative impact of the investigation on the NYPD’s operations. He underlined his dedication to the department and assured full cooperation with authorities. The NYPD had already been fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, maintaining their commitment to transparent and lawful conduct.

Impact on NYPD Leadership

Caban’s resignation marks the first high-level departure from Mayor Adams’ administration since the federal investigation’s inception. Adams praised Caban’s tenure, commending the drop in crime rates under his leadership. The mayor, himself under federal scrutiny since taking office in 2022, reiterated there was no indication of wrongdoing by Caban or other officials. This ongoing situation raises questions about leadership stability within the NYPD and the broader impact on city governance.

Tom Donlon’s leadership, with his extensive federal experience, signifies a shift in focus and possibly a strategic move to maintain integrity and operational effectiveness within the NYPD. His initial actions and decisions will be crucial in ensuring public trust and the department’s internal stability amidst these turbulent times.