Brooklyn Electeds React To Police Commissioner Resigning

BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn politicians have a lot to say about NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban's unexpected resignation, which was announced on Thursday.

The police commissioner resigned because of an ongoing federal investigation. Caban's home was one of those raided by federal authorities on Sept. 4 on suspicion of corruption, along with other city officials, Patch previously reported. During the raid, his phone was seized.

In an internal memo obtained by the New York Post, Caban wrote that he resigned from his position on Thursday to ensure the police department can focus on its own work and not the federal investigation.

"I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD."

"...Which is why – for the good of this city and this department – I have made the difficult decision to resign as Police Commissioner," Caban wrote, according to the Post.

State Senator Zellnor Myrie, who represents Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Windsor Terrace in the State Senate, said that the resignation was concerning.

"Public safety remains one of the most pressing concerns for New Yorkers, which makes the NYPD Commissioner's resignation all the more troubling. At a time when strong, consistent leadership is essential, particularly within our police department, this latest departure only adds to the concerning pattern of instability within the Adams administration."

Myrie hopes to unseat Mayor Eric Adams in the mayoral election in 2025.

Chi Osse, who represents District 36, which includes Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, said he also questions the Adams Administration's stability.

"The fact that this is the second police commissioner to resign under suspicious or controversial circumstances within a single mayoral term raises tough questions about the Adams Administration's ability to govern our city in a stable and trustworthy manner," Osse said.

New York City Council Progressive Caucus Chairs Shahana Hanif, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez and Carmen De La Rosa issued a joint statement saying Caban antagonized everyday New Yorkers and that his departure represents a moment for Adams to change course.

“Under Commissioner Caban and his top brass, the NYPD fought desperately-needed measures for police reform, transparency, and accountability. Over the past year, the Department has resurrected the ghost of stop-and-frisk; launched cruel sweeps against our most vulnerable neighbors; allowed misconduct to fester; waged a disinformation war against sensible legislation like the How Many Stops Act; and antagonized partners in government, the free press, and everyday New Yorkers.

We urge Mayor Adams to use this opportunity to turn the page on his scandal-plagued administration. Refusing to change course would put the safety and well-being of everyday New Yorkers at risk. New leadership must act with integrity and commit to achieving true public safety through trust-building and collaboration rather than brute force and impunity,” the caucus chairs said.

Hanif, Nurse, and Gutierrez represent portions of Brooklyn, including Bushwick, East New York, Park Slope, Gowanus, Cobble Hill, Ocean Hill, and more.

It is not immediately clear who will replace Caban.

Update: Caban will be replaced by Tom Donlon, Adams tweeted just after 7 p.m. on Thursday. Donlon has served as New York's director of the Office of Homeland Security and ran the FBI's National Threat Center and the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force.