According to political sources, Police Commissioner Edward Caban is under “tremendous pressure” to resign. The sources said they do not see how the top cop can remain in his position after the surprise raid on his home by federal agents.
Call The demand for removal of Caban is increasing After last week’s raids on NYPD officers and top aides to Mayor Eric Adams, some have questioned how the commissioner can do his job — which includes working with federal authorities — if he is under investigation by federal authorities.
“It is not a question of if or but, but of when,” a political source said when asked if Caban might pack up.
Sources also said Cabán — at least so far — has not agreed to step down. That means the decision could ultimately fall into the hands of Adams, herself a former NYPD captain who has continued to voice her support for her underdog chief.
Asked Monday about rumors of Cabán’s imminent resignation, Adams offered a cryptic answer.
“I don’t think anything in life is guaranteed,” Hizzoner said when asked in an unrelated press conference if he could guarantee Cabán would still be commissioner two months from now.
The mayor added, “I will say this: When I chose Eddie, I chose him for his experience and what he brings to the table after 30 years of service.”
“And so, you know, rumors are always out there. You can never pay attention to the rumors that you hear,” he added. “Nothing that I said matched those rumors.”
A source with knowledge of the discussions at City Hall quoted the top police official as saying that “there is tremendous pressure on him to resign.”
Hizzoner met with Cabán over the weekend, but it’s unclear if Adams has made any decision about the commissioner’s future.
An already chaotic week culminated with Adams testing positive for COVID on Monday. Insiders say even if Cabán agrees to step down, the news won’t come out until the mayor is out of isolation at Gracie Mansion.
The walls have been closing in fast on Caban — chosen by the mayor to succeed former Commissioner Keychant Sewell, who resigned last summer — since federal officers knocked on his door last week, waving warrants and demanding his electronic devices.
Authorities have provided little information about why they raided Cabán’s home — or the homes of other top Adams aides.
But law enforcement sources have said the investigation is centered around widespread corruption and influence peddling.
Caban's twin brother, a former NYPD officer with a questionable past, is also charged. Investigation is going on Federal authorities have accused him of working as a “fixer” at troubled nightlife spots in Manhattan that were embroiled in problems with police.
Adams last Friday He made clear his intention to support the NYPD commissioner, Despite his recent troubles.
“Commissioner Cabán can keep his job,” Adams said in an interview with PIX 11 on Friday, adding that the commissioner has “brought crime down to the lowest level in 14 years.”
But some have questioned how Cabán can oversee the NYPD — and regularly speak to his colleagues at the FBI — when he is being targeted by the federal agency.
“As long as the federal government is investigating him, his working relationship with them is untenable,” one source said Monday.
“There's no joy in waking up and seeing a negative comment made about you in writing or anywhere,” Adams said Monday.
“So there's no joy. But we have a job to do,” he added. “And the name of the game — I say it over and over again — is to stay focused, have no distractions and get the job done.”
