NYPD appoints Edward Caban as NYC’s first Latino commissioner

With Puerto Rican flags waving in the breeze and family members crowding outside the Bronx precinct stationhouse where he once worked his first shift with the NYPD, Edward Caban was sworn in Monday as New York City’s first Hispanic police commissioner.

After a little more than two weeks as the city’s interim top cop, Mayor Adams made it official, tapping Caban to take the lead role as the 46th head of the nation’s largest police force.

Caban, who grew up in the Bronx and went to Cardinal Hayes High School, recalled the day more than 31 years ago when “a young Puerto Rican kid from Parkchester” was assigned to a foot post in the South Bronx.

“In those days the top bosses of the police department didn’t really look like me,” he told the crowd outside the 40th Precinct stationhouse in Mott Haven. “Police Officer Eddie Caban could not walk into the 4-0 Precinct, look up at the leadership photos hanging on the wall and envision his picture.”

But Caban did have one trailblazer to look up to — his father.

“Many called him Detective Caban. I was blessed to call him dad,” Caban said Monday.

“He could spot a pickpocket from across a train platform. But he was also an advocate for those facing barriers in their careers. ... He told me, ‘Take the test, son. Promotions will earn you a seat at the table.’ I’m blessed my dad is still with us and can see the impact of his guidance come full circle.”

Juan Caban was a first-grade Transit Police detective and the head of that department’s Hispanic Society, advocating for other Latino cops.

“Eddie was a good kid, always a good kid,” the proud father said Monday. “Very disciplined. I taught him to treat people the way you’d want to be treated. Don’t abuse people.”

Caban succeeds another history maker, Keechant Sewell, the first woman to run the NYPD.

Sewell took over in January 2022 and served 18 months, resigning, according to multiple police sources, over micromanaging by the City Hall tandem of Adams, a retired NYPD captain, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, a one-time NYPD Chief of Department.

Sewell, who previously served as Chief of Detectives for the Nassau County Police Department, had to work her way through the political minefields of One Police Plaza and City Hall.

Caban, 54, has been interim NYPD commissioner since July 1. He has known Adams for years and spent more than a decade at NYPD Brooklyn North headquarters before he was tapped by Adams to be NYPD First Deputy Commissioner under Sewell.

“I saw in Eddie long ago possibilities,” Adams said. “I watched him, his discipline, his attitude, the diversity of the people who constantly told me what he meant to them. He’s the right choice for right now. "

Caban, who is married with two children, faces daunting challenges, including how to bring crime back down to the record low levels achieved before it spiked during the COVID pandemic.

Murders and shootings dropped last year even as the overall major crime rate surged 22% compared to the year before. The news is better this year, with murders and shootings continuing to drop and the crime rate up less than 1% so far compared to this time last year.

But morale is still an issue for many officers following the “Defund the Police” movement and legislation many officers see as making it more difficult to do their jobs.

As First Deputy, Caban’s responsibilities included supervision of the discipline system for cops accused of misconduct.

“The NYPD is the most consequential police department in all of law enforcement,” Caban said. “Its storied history, its living legacy of valor, bravery and sacrifice, of ordinary New Yorkers who did extraordinary things. Across my three decades of experience I have seen those qualities up close from simple acts of kindness to uncompromising examples of bravery.”

Well wishers included the Police Benevolent Association and its president, Patrick Henry.

“We know he knows what New York City police officers are going through right now, and that strong leadership is needed to reverse the current staffing crisis,” Henry said in a statement. “There is no time to waste. We look forward to getting back to work with him immediately to improve quality-of-life for our police officers and ensure public safety.”

The Legal Aid Society urged Caban to work toward building trust.

“Policing in New York City is in dire need of reform, and Mr. Caban has to make significant inroads with the public to improve their trust,” the organization said in a statement. “We also implore Mr. Caban to immediately meet with members of the community to establish and maintain channels for input and accountability.”

After Caban spoke, Adams named Deputy Chief Tania Kinsella to replace Caban as first deputy.

Kinsella was the second in command in the Patrol Services Bureau.. Before that she ran the 120th Precinct in Staten Island and Public Service Area 1 in Brooklyn.