NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigns after being raided by federal agents

NEW YORK — NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban introduced his resignation Thursday, a couple of week after federal brokers raided his dwelling, together with different members of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.

Caban despatched a letter to the division, saying the information surrounding the raids had “created a distraction.” His resignation is efficient at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13.

“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 great of this metropolis and this division — I’ve made the tough determination to resign as Police Commissioner,” Caban wrote. 

Adams mentioned he respects Caban’s determination to step down and touted NYPD achievements underneath his management, together with getting greater than 18,000 unlawful weapons off the streets and main reductions in shootings and robberies.

“Edward Caban concluded that that is the most effective determination presently. I respect his determination and I want him effectively,” Adams mentioned Thursday afternoon. “Commissioner Caban devoted his life to creating our metropolis safer, and we noticed a drop in crime for 13 of the 14 months he served as commissioner.” 

The mayor additionally introduced Tom Donlon will take over as interim commissioner of the division. Donlon launched an announcement, saying he’s “honored and humbled” to take the helm. 

“My objectives are clear: proceed the historic progress reducing crime and eradicating unlawful weapons from our communities, uphold the very best requirements of integrity and transparency, and help our devoted officers who put their lives on the road daily to maintain us secure,” he wrote. “I need to thank outgoing Commissioner Caban for his service to this division all through his greater than 30-year profession and I stay up for constructing on the progress this administration has made holding New York Metropolis the most secure massive metropolis in America.” 

Caban was sworn in as New York Metropolis’s forty sixth police commissioner in July 2023. He took over for Keechant Sewell and have become the primary Latino to guide the division.

Thursday’s resignation comes after U.S. attorneys seized cellphones from the commissioner and his twin brother final week, in addition to the colleges chancellor and two deputy mayors. Sources say Caban’s twin, James, allegedly labored as a fixer for eating places and nightclubs, smoothing issues over between police and common institutions round noise complaints and different violations. 

Earlier this week, the commissioner denied experiences he would step down, and the mayor was grilled by reporters about his future with the division. 

Caban’s resignation is just not an act of contrition, and sources inform CBS Information New York’s Marcia Kramer he insists he has achieved nothing fallacious. His legal professional mentioned in an announcement he isn’t a goal of any investigation, and he expects to completely cooperate with the federal government. 

At this level, nobody has been charged with any wrongdoing. 

Learn Caban’s full letter of resignation

Forward of the Metropolis Corridor announcement, the police commissioner despatched the next letter to members of the division: 

“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. Every single 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 pressure on this planet. Collectively, we’ve got eliminated 1000’s of firearms from the streets, introduced justice to numerous victims of violent crimes, and helped to heal and convey 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, accomplish that due to you. My full focus has all the time been on the NYPD – the division and folks I really 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 aside from our vital work, or the security 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 great of this metropolis and this division – I’ve made the tough determination to resign as Police Commissioner. Thanks for the belief you’ve got positioned in me, and for the chance you’ve got given me to serve alongside the members of this nice division. I really feel strongly that we’ve got the most effective police pressure on this planet, and have full religion within the leaders throughout the NYPD. Edward A. Caban” 

The Police Benevolent Affiliation shared an announcement, thanking Caban for “all the time listening to our issues and being prepared to work with us on the problems affecting our members.”

“However irrespective of who’s main the NYPD, this stays a uniquely difficult interval for cops on the streets. The NYPD is severely understaffed. Law enforcement officials are severely overworked and overburdened. We’re consistently assaulted by violent criminals and consistently attacked by anti-police activists who need us punished and prosecuted for merely doing our job. All of this places public security in danger. We want the following police commissioner to proceed working with us to face these challenges head-on from day one,” the PBA assertion continued. 

Feds raid NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ inside circle

Along with the U.S. legal professional issuing search warrants for the cellphones belonging to Caban and his brother, the feds additionally despatched the NYPD an proof preservation letter, ordering it to not destroy any digital recordsdata, sources informed CBS Information New York. 

Whereas that’s typical protocol, sources mentioned further electronics have been additionally faraway from the Verizon Constructing, which homes the workplace of Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, certainly one of a number of members of the mayor’s administration whose properties have been raided final week.

Adams mentioned on the time he was not conscious of any misdoings by the workers members, together with Colleges Chancellor David Banks and his fiancée, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, in addition to mayoral advisor Timothy Pearson.

Philip and David Banks are brothers, and their different brother, Terence, additionally had his dwelling searched, his legal professional informed The Related Press. 

On Thursday, Kramer requested New York Gov. Kathy Hochul if she has any issues about working with the Adams administration transferring ahead. 

“When there may be proof of wrongdoing, when there’s proof of against the law, we take steps essential to take away them from these positions when that particular person is present in committing against the law themselves,” the governor replied. “Gathering intelligence by regulation enforcement is a unique stage of the method.”

At this level, nobody has been charged, and it is unclear precisely what federal authorities are investigating.

Metropolis officers help Caban’s determination to depart

“It is vital that we lead with integrity. And for Commissioner Caban to say, you already know what, I am going to do that, it has been really helpful, I feel it is a noble factor to do,” Councilmember Yusef Salaam mentioned. 

“We nonetheless do not know what occurred, so we’re all ready for that. However you’ll be able to’t have the division underneath scrutiny like this,” Councilmember Robert Holden mentioned. 

“I am sorry to see him go. I feel he was an efficient chief for the division,” Councilmember Joe Borelli mentioned. 

“Very disappointing. , we had excessive hopes, the primary Latino police commissioner,” Councilmember Oswald Feliz mentioned. 

“I feel anyone who actually appears on the division for the final 12 months is aware of that the division was effectively run,” Councilmember Kalman Yeger mentioned. 

Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, who is just not associated to the police commissioner, mentioned the resignation was the beginning of wanted modifications. 

“Now we have structural issues with our police division, and it reveals in year-over-year data in police brutality misconduct circumstances,” Cabán mentioned.

“Even when he is achieved nothing, and Edward Caban is a reasonably first rate man, he’s enmeshed in a scandal, so it is smart, he selected a courageous and good course to step apart,” mentioned Wealthy Esposito, former NYPD deputy commissioner and CBS Information regulation enforcement contributor. “[NYPD members] like readability, officers like a transparent chain of command, and now they’ve one once more.”

So ought to extra resignations comply with from high metropolis leaders whose properties have been raided? 

“There is a shroud round so many of us at high ranges. It is actually exhausting to maneuver ahead pretending that is not the case. So the mayor has to nonetheless, and needed to do one thing, and so perhaps it is a step to assist restore belief,” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams mentioned. 

Everybody stopped in need of saying Adams ought to step down. 

“I might like to see a metropolis that’s run by a mayor that’s delivering for on a regular basis New Yorkers,” Tiffany Cabán mentioned.

“Let’s examine what occurs. I feel it is a difficult scenario,” Councilmember Gale Brewer mentioned. 

“Due to the magnitude of the scenario and the variety of investigations occurring proper now inside the administration, the distractions are nonetheless going to be there,” Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams mentioned. 

contributed to this report.