New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban resigned amid a federal investigation, New York 1 reported. Investigators raided Caban's home and seized his phone in a probe that involves other city officials.
Mayor Eric Adams announced Caban's decision during a news conference Thursday. "A short time ago, I accepted the resignation of Edward Caban," Adams told the press.
"I concluded that this is the best decision at this time. I respect his decision and I wish him well," Adams added.
Caban blamed "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" for his departure. "Which is why – for the good of this city and this department – I have made the difficult decision to resign as Police Commissioner."
Adams announced that retired FBI National Threat Center chief Tom Donlon would take Caban's place. "I thank Commissioner Donlon for stepping in during this critical moment," Adams said.
In a written statement, Donlon said he was "honored and humbled" to take the position. "My goals are clear: continue the historic progress decreasing crime and removing illegal guns from our communities, uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and support our dedicated officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," Donlon said.
"I want to thank outgoing Commissioner Caban for his service to this department throughout his more than 30-year career and I look forward to building on the progress this administration has made keeping New York City the safest big city in America," Donlon added. Adams sang the praises of the outgoing commissioner.
He noted there was a "drop in crime for 13 of the 14 months" Caban served as the city's commissioner. The Democratic mayor also cited statistics such as "18,000 illegal guns" being taken off the streets, record-low robberies in October, and "the lowest number of shootings above ground ever in the history - of recorded history in the city - in August," Adams said.
While the mayor was all compliments for Caban, it still leaves questions about his resignation. Attorneys for Caban insisted that he "is not a target of any investigation being conducted by the Southern District of New York" but "expects to cooperate fully with the government."
Last week, the New York Post reported that federal agents raided Caban's home and others in Adams' orbit. On Sept. 4, the FBI raided the shared townhouse of First Deputy Mayor Sheen Wright and Schools Chancellor David Banks and the home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks.
Terrance Banks, the brother of David and Phil Banks and a former MTA official, was also involved in the investigation. Former NYPD sergeant James Caban, twin brother of Edward Caban, also was subpoenaed and served a search warrant as a fixer for nightclubs.
There is no official word on what prompted the searches and seizures of phones and other electronics. However, sources close to the investigation say it has something to do with corruption.
Adams has pledged to cooperate with the investigation. "As you’ve heard me say over and over again, as a former law enforcement person, we will always follow the law, and that is what this administration always stood for and will continue to stand for. Whatever information is needed, we will turn over," Adams said last week.
Although Caban's resignation is not an admission of guilt, it is a notable development in the saga. Time will tell whether Caban was self-sacrificing or simply getting a jump on the inevitable conclusion of his career.
