Tom Donlon will officially assume the role of interim NYPD commissioner, marking the third person to hold this position under the Adams administration, following the resignation of the current chief, Edward Caban, effective at the end of the workday on Friday.
Caban announced his resignation on Thursday from his position leading the nation’s largest police department amidst a federal investigation concerning its nightclub enforcement activities, according to a memo obtained by News 4.
The official transition will take place at 5 p.m. Friday.
In his statement, Caban emphasized, “My complete focus must be on the NYPD – the Department I profoundly honor and have dedicated my career to serving. 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.”
Caban, who took on the role in July 2023 and made history as the first Latino commissioner in the NYPD’s 179-year history, expressed his gratitude toward the officers of the city and addressed the need to prioritize their interests over his own. He also reaffirmed his commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Mayor Eric Adams is now faced with appointing his third police commissioner in less than three years. Caban’s resignation follows reports that the IRS’s Criminal Investigation division had joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in the inquiry related to the NYPD.
During a briefing, Adams confirmed he accepted Caban’s resignation and expressed best wishes for him while stating that his administration would remain focused on the city’s operations despite ongoing investigations. He introduced Tom Donlon as the interim commissioner, highlighting his extensive law enforcement experience.
Sources indicate that Frank Carone, a key figure in Adams’s campaign and former chief of staff, played a significant role in facilitating Caban’s departure with the mayor’s approval.
Caban’s relationship with federal law enforcement agencies came into question earlier in the week when Adams refrained from disclosing whether Caban had been restricted from communicating with them.
The inquiry has led to the seizure of several mobile phones belonging to multiple NYPD officials, including one belonging to Caban. Investigators are evaluating whether Caban’s twin brother, who operates a nightclub security business, improperly benefited from connections to the NYPD. Reports suggest the investigation is looking into allegations that bars and clubs in specific areas may have received preferential treatment in exchange for payments made to James Caban.
Other areas of investigation include if there was any undue pressure on officers to target clubs that didn’t cooperate with James Caban and whether promotions were awarded to those who participated in these potential schemes.
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed the department is aware of and is cooperating with the investigation, although no charges have been made.
Caban’s attorneys issued a statement heralding his legacy as a dedicated public servant committed to the safety of the city’s residents. They asserted that Caban is not a target of the investigation and that he intends to cooperate fully.
Inquiries remain regarding the actions of Caban’s twin brother and allegations of leveraging police resources for personal gain, amidst a broader investigation involving the NYPD and City Hall with implications for potential corruption among top aides to Mayor Eric Adams.