NEW YORK (WABC) — New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned amid ongoing FBI probes into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
In a letter to the police division saying his resignation, Caban wrote, “My full focus has at all times been on the NYPD – the division and folks I like and have devoted over 30 years of service to. Nonetheless, the information round current developments has created a distraction for our division, and I’m unwilling to let my consideration be on something apart from our necessary work, or the protection of the women and men of the NYPD.”
The resignation follows the seizure of Caban’s telephones and the gadgets of different senior police leaders by federal investigators final week.
Adams on Thursday paid tribute to the tenure of Caban as New York Metropolis police commissioner however stated he concluded “this was one of the best resolution presently.”
He appointed Tom Donlon as interim commissioner.
Donlon is a former FBI agent and former New York Homeland Safety director.
“My objectives are clear: proceed the historic progress reducing crime and eradicating unlawful weapons from our communities, uphold the best requirements of integrity and transparency, and assist our devoted officers who put their lives on the road on daily basis to maintain us protected,” Donlon stated in an announcement offered by Metropolis Corridor.
Caban’s legal professional stated he “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and has absolutely cooperated with investigators.
Caban was named commissioner of the NYPD just a bit greater than a 12 months in the past. Eyewitness Information has discovered his brother is accused of making an attempt to leverage their relationship as a way to get work offering safety to nightclubs.
Caban didn’t remark publicly, however a number of New York Metropolis Councilmembers had demanded that he resign, saying a police commissioner pressured to give up his electronics creates an look that’s disturbing sufficient that he ought to resign merely due to that.
Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce weighs in on Caban’s resignation:
Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce weighs in on Edward Caban stepping down amid ongoing FBI probes into the Adams administration.
It is only one of 4 federal investigations now centered on the NYPD and Metropolis Corridor.
Federal authorities are additionally investigating Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, who runs a nightclub safety enterprise, in response to an individual aware of the matter. The particular person couldn’t publicly focus on particulars of the continuing investigation and spoke to AP on situation of anonymity.
Edward Caban, 57, had been in command of the nation’s largest police division for about 15 months. Of Puerto Rican heritage, he was the primary Latino to steer the 179-year-old NYPD.
Different officers whose gadgets have been lately seized embody First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright; Philip Banks, the deputy mayor for public security; his brother David Banks, the town’s colleges chancellor; and Timothy Pearson, a mayoral adviser and former high-ranking NYPD official.
The searches added to a flurry of investigative exercise round Adams’ administration and his marketing campaign. Adams, a first-term Democrat, was subpoenaed in July, eight months after federal brokers seized his cell telephones and an iPad whereas he was leaving an occasion in Manhattan. Federal authorities have not publicly accused him or any officers of any crimes, and Adams has denied any wrongdoing.
The investigation that led to Caban’s gadgets being seized will not be believed to be tied to a probe that led federal investigators to grab Adams’ gadgets final November, in response to two folks aware of the matter. They spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly.
Caban joined the division as a patrol officer in 1991 within the Bronx, the place he grew up. His father, retired Detective Juan Caban, had served with Adams, a former police captain, after they have been each on the town’s transit police drive. Three of Caban’s brothers have been additionally cops.
He labored in precincts throughout the town, rising to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, govt officer, commanding officer, deputy inspector and inspector. He was the division’s first deputy commissioner, second-in-command, earlier than being named commissioner final 12 months.
Caban changed Keechant Sewell, the primary girl to steer the drive. She resigned 18 months right into a tenure clouded by hypothesis that she was not actually accountable for the division after Adams appointed ex-NYPD chief Philip Banks as his deputy mayor of public security. She is now the senior vp of safety and visitor expertise for the New York Mets.
“There’s nothing on this planet like public service,” Caban stated in an interview along with his alma mater, St. John’s College, after his appointment. “My father taught me that on daily basis on the job is a chance to alter lives, and within the NYPD we get to try this each single day.”
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 1, the division tallied 243 murders, in contrast with 279 in the identical interval final 12 months. Housebreaking, grand larceny and auto thefts have been additionally down. On the identical time, there was a 17.8% spike in reported hate crimes, 11.1% soar in rapes and smaller will increase in another classes.
(The Related Press contributed to this report.)
—
Full letter from Edward Caban:
To the Members of the New York Metropolis Police Division:
On yesterday’s solemn day of remembrance, as we got here collectively to honor our fallen brothers and sisters, I used to be reminded of the unwavering dedication and resilience of the NYPD. Serving as your Commissioner has been the best honor of my profession, and I’m proud to face subsequent to you each day.
I’ve devoted over 30 years of service to this division. Day by day, whether or not as a patrol officer on the streets of the Bronx, the Commissioner of the division, and my many stops in between, I’ve been impressed by the braveness, tenacity, and selflessness of every of you. The best metropolis on this planet wouldn’t be so with out the best police drive on this planet. Collectively, we’ve got eliminated hundreds of firearms from the streets, introduced justice to numerous victims of violent crimes, and helped to heal and produce communities collectively. The households, enterprise house owners, vacationers, in addition to all who stroll the streets, take the subway, and dwell freely and safely in New York, achieve this due to you.
My full focus has at all times been on the NYPD – the division and folks I like and have devoted over 30 years of service to. Nonetheless, the information round current developments has created a distraction for our division, and I’m unwilling to let my consideration be on something apart from our necessary work, or the protection of the women and men of the NYPD. I maintain immense respect and gratitude for the courageous officers who serve this division, and the NYPD deserves somebody who can solely give attention to defending and serving New York Metropolis, which is why – for the nice of this metropolis and this division – I’ve made the troublesome resolution to resign as Police Commissioner.
Thanks for the belief you have got positioned in me, and for the chance you have got given me to serve alongside the members of this nice division. I really feel strongly that we’ve got one of the best police drive on this planet, and have full religion within the leaders throughout the N
YPD.
Edward A. Caban
———-
* Get Eyewitness Information Delivered
* Extra New York Metropolis information
* Obtain the abc7NY app for breaking information alerts
Submit a tip or story concept to Eyewitness Information
Have a breaking information tip or an concept for a narrative we should always cowl? Ship it to Eyewitness Information utilizing the shape beneath. If attaching a video or picture, phrases of use apply.
Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
