Embattled NYPD commissioner resigns under cloud of federal probe

(The Center Square) — New York City's top cop resigned Thursday from his post overseeing the nation's largest police force under the cloud of a federal investigation into the agency's nightclub enforcement.

Edward Caban, the first Latino officer to lead the NYPD, informed the department of his departure effective Friday, in an email that cited "recent developments" that have "created a distraction" for the agency that prevents him from remaining at the helm.

"My complete focus must be on the NYPD -- the Department I profoundly honor and have dedicated my career to serving," Caban said in a statement. "However, the noise around recent developments has made that impossible and has hindered the important work our city requires. I have therefore decided it is in the best interest of the Department that I resign as Commissioner.”

Adams said Thursday that he has accepted Caban's resignation and appointed former FBI agent and former New York Homeland Security Director Tom Donlon to serve as interim commissioner.

"I respect his decision and I wish him well," Adams said in remarks. "Commissioner Caban dedicated his life to making our city safe, and we saw a drop in crime for the 13 of the 14 months that he served as commissioner."

"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 in a statement.

But Caban's abrupt departure comes after the FBI and New York City's Department of Investigation reportedly searched his home and seized his cellphone as part of a probe into the NYPD's nightclub enforcement.

Caban's twin brother, who owns a nightclub security business, also had his phone seized as part of the corruption investigation, according to published reports.

Adams tapped Caban, a 32-year NYPD veteran, in July 2023 to fill a vacancy left by the departure of former commissioner Keechant Sewell, who stepped down after just over a year on the job after behind-the-scenes clashes with Adams over his management.

At the time, Adams called Caban the "right choice at the right time" to lead the nation's largest police department, touting his ascension from a patrol officer in the Bronx in the 1990s to a top commander.

Federal prosecutors at the U.S. attorney's offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn are overseeing four corruption investigations involving senior officials in the Adams administration, according to published reports. No one has been charged with wrongdoing.

Adams' home was raided by the FBI earlier this year as part of a federal corruption probe centered on the mayor’s 2021 election campaign, which allegedly conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations.

On Thursday, Adams said he wasn't aware of the investigations until recently but said his administration is cooperating with the agencies involved. He said he remains focused on governing the city.

“I was as surprised as you to learn of these inquiries and I take them extremely seriously. I spent more than 20 years in law enforcement and so every member of the administration knows my expectations that we must follow the law,” he said in remarks. "I also made clear that our administration will remain focused on delivering for the people of our great city and we continue to do that."