Mayor Eric Adams has appointed First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban as the interim head of the New York Police Department (NYPD), marking the first time a Hispanic individual will assume the role of top cop.
Adams declared Caban’s appointment during a press conference on Saturday, July 1st. The mayor recognized Caban’s professionalism and over thirty years of service with the NYPD, asserting that the department’s personnel can count on stable leadership until a permanent replacement is decided upon.
Mayor Adams said, “Commissioner Caban is a consummate professional with over three decades of service in the NYPD. I know the hard-working men and women of our city’s police department have a strong leader in place until a more formal announcement is made in the coming weeks.”
The announcement follows the sudden resignation of Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell on June 12th. Reports indicate that Sewell stepped down due to dissatisfaction with the extent of her role’s authority.
Despite her departure, Sewell, the first woman, and first Black woman to lead the NYPD, was celebrated by Mayor Adams for her exemplary leadership and contributions to New York City’s safety.
Adams, in a statement, said, “Commissioner Sewell not only led the NYPD with distinction and honor every day, but she inspired millions of young girls and boys in her role…today, we are safer than we were on January 1, 2022, with most major crimes down.”
Sewell garnered much support among the NYPD staff. She was emotionally honored at her final official event, a promotions ceremony at the NYPD’s Police Academy in Queens, where she was met with several standing ovations and a tribute video.
As the second-in-command, Caban has a track record of leading policy development, personnel management, training initiatives, and supervising the discipline system.
The Police Benevolent Association has expressed its approval of Caban’s appointment and intends to work with him to address existing morale and staffing issues in the NYPD. Patrick Hendry, the newly appointed President of the PBA, said, “We have always had a strong relationship with Commissioner Caban, and we look forward to continuing that relationship as he takes on this new role.” He continued, “We will need to start working with him immediately to address the NYPD’s morale and staffing problems. Commissioner Caban knows these problems are hurting public safety. The solutions absolutely cannot wait.”
Caban holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University. He is the son of Juan Caban, a NYC Transit Police Detective and former President of the Transit Police Hispanic Society.
