NYC Police Commissioner Resigns Amid Federal Probe Into Nightclub Enforcement

NYC Police Commissioner Resigns Amid Federal Probe

New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned on Thursday amid a federal investigation into the NYPD's nightclub enforcement. Caban, the city's first Latino police commissioner, had been in the role since July 2023.

In a statement, Caban said that the recent news surrounding the investigation had created a distraction for the department, and he wanted to focus solely on the safety of the NYPD officers and the city. He expressed gratitude for the officers and said he believed the NYPD deserved someone who could focus entirely on its mission.

Mayor Eric Adams, whose administration is also facing several federal investigations, accepted Caban's resignation and appointed Thomas Donlon as the interim police commissioner. Donlon is a national security expert with experience in the FBI and the New York state Office of Homeland Security.

The federal investigation into the NYPD's nightclub enforcement is looking into whether James Caban, the commissioner's twin brother who owns a nightclub security business, profited from his ties to the NYPD. Investigators are specifically looking into whether James Caban was paid by clubs in Midtown Manhattan and Queens to act as a police liaison, and if those clubs then received special treatment from local precincts.

Lawyers for Edward Caban said he is not a target of the investigation and expects to cooperate fully with the authorities.

This resignation adds another layer of scrutiny to the Adams administration, which has been facing a number of federal investigations in recent months. The investigations are examining a range of issues, including the mayor's campaign finances, the NYPD's dealings with nightclubs, and the potential for corruption within the city government.