Police Commissioner Edward Caban Resigns Amid Federal Investigation

New York City, NY – In a surprising turn of events, NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned amid an ongoing federal investigation, multiple police sources confirmed on Thursday. Caban, who served as head of the 34,000-member police force for just over a year, stepped down after federal authorities reportedly confiscated his cell phone to investigate his brother, James Caban’s, nightlife dealings.

In a live-streamed address Thursday afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that he had accepted Caban’s resignation and named Tom Donlon, a global security executive, as the department’s interim commissioner. After testing positive for COVID-19, the mayor quarantined and expressed his respect for Caban’s decision.

“A short time ago, I accepted the resignation of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban,” Mayor Adams said. “He concluded that this is the best decision at this time. I respect his decision and wish him well.”

In an internal email to NYPD officers obtained by the *Midtown Times*, Caban explained that he was stepping down “for the good of this city and this department,” acknowledging that the ongoing federal investigation had become a distraction. “I feel strongly that we have the best police force in the world and have complete faith in the leaders across the NYPD,” he wrote in his farewell message.

Caban’s departure comes in the wake of federal raids on the homes of several top aides to Mayor Adams, further intensifying the scrutiny on City Hall. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is reportedly investigating claims that Caban’s brother, James, received police protection and personal NYPD drivers after Edward Caban was appointed commissioner.

Earlier this week, reports suggested Caban’s resignation was imminent, although the mayor and other sources initially denied the rumors. On Tuesday, Mayor Adams even dismissed suggestions that he was seeking Caban’s removal, though he notably did not offer an explicit vote of confidence.

During his tenure, Caban was credited with overseeing a significant drop in crime during 13 of the 14 months he led the NYPD. Mayor Adams lauded Caban for his efforts as commissioner, referencing their shared commitment to public safety.

However, allegations of misconduct shadowed Caban’s career before he became commissioner. His rise to the top post came after the abrupt resignation of Keechant Sewell, the NYPD’s first female commissioner, who had reportedly fallen out with Mayor Adams. Caban, then the first deputy commissioner, formally assumed the role in July 2023 during a ceremony at the Bronx’s 40th Precinct, where he had started his career.

City officials reacted to Caban’s resignation with mixed responses. Queens City Council Member Robert Holden, who had called for Caban’s resignation after news of the federal probe broke, thanked him for his service and his decision to step down, stating, “The integrity of the NYPD is paramount, and his decision allows the department to move forward without this distraction.”

Only some people were as supportive. Queens Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democrat and potential 2025 mayoral candidate, pointed to the resignation as part of a more significant issue. “The Mayor’s second NYPD Commissioner has resigned in scandal,” Mamdani wrote on social media. “Adams promised both safety and justice—and then stacked the leadership of the nation’s largest police force with bullies and crooks. Another commissioner won’t fix this. Only a new Mayor can.”

Caban’s resignation marks another challenge for Mayor Adams, whose administration has been plagued by federal investigations and mounting public criticism. As the federal probe continues, questions remain about the broader implications for City Hall and the NYPD.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to the *Midtown Times* for further updates.

By The Midtown Times Staff Reporter