New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban has stepped down, just a week after it was revealed that federal authorities raided his home and seized his phone, as announced by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The federal government has launched several criminal investigations into the city’s administration, involving officials such as Mr. Caban, the first Latino to hold the position of police commissioner in the city.
With Caban’s resignation, Mayor Adams is tasked with selecting a new NYPD leader for the third time in three years. He chose Tom Donlon, who previously headed the FBI’s National Threat Center and was involved in the investigation of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
At a short press conference on Thursday, Adams praised Caban’s leadership, noting that crime had dropped for 13 of the 14 months during his tenure. He also expressed gratitude to Donlon, a Bronx native, for taking over during this crucial period.
Adams highlighted Donlon’s experience, including his role in investigating the al-Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Africa and the USS Cole in Yemen.
In his statement, Donlon expressed honor and humility in becoming the interim commissioner and committed to maintaining high standards of integrity and transparency.
Caban initially announced his resignation in a letter to NYPD members, explaining that the ongoing investigation into him had become a distraction for the department. He had served as commissioner since 2023 and was a close ally of Mayor Adams.
The federal raid on his home, along with investigations into other top city officials, has heightened scrutiny. Officials such as First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, and NYC Schools Chancellor David C. Banks were also targeted in the raids, with their phones seized.
While it’s unclear if Caban or any of the officials are directly involved in any wrongdoing, Mayor Adams and his team have faced growing federal attention since he took office in 2022.
Last year, the FBI also investigated Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, regarding possible illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources, including Turkey, although this current investigation does not appear related.
