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Pro-NYPD councilmember joins calls for Commissioner Caban to step down
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 6, 2024
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NYPD via X
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 6, 2024
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A New York City Councilmember known for his staunch support of the NYPD is calling for the department's commissioner to step down after federal agents seized his phone on Thursday.
“He's the head of the NYPD. He is the symbol of the NYPD. So, that's why it's a bad look at this point. It's a shadow over the department,” Councilmember Bob Holden of Queens said in an interview with Gothamist.
The NYPD said on Thursday that it was cooperating with federal investigators, but declined to comment on the nature of the probe or the officials involved. The New York Times reported that Caban and multiple other department officials had their phones seized.
The feds' incursion into the upper echelon of the police department comes as Mayor Eric Adams' administration faces mounting legal woes: There are two investigations into his 2021 campaign; another seemingly unrelated FBI investigation of his aide, Winnie Greco; an FBI raid of the homes of his top lieutenants earlier this week, and now another potential investigation into the NYPD brass.
“I don't think the [federal government] does this on a whim,” Holden said. “They have some serious reasons that this is happening so that's why I think, especially as the symbol of the police department, Commissioner Caban should step aside.”
The New York Post editorial board wrote Thursday night that Caban should step down. The paper is famously pro-police, making its condemnation a significant political blow to the NYPD and Adams.
“Caban as NYPD chief works with the feds every day; now he’s had his home raided by the very same feds,” the board wrote. “Even if he’s done nothing wrong, how can he possibly do his job properly while this stink remains?”
Councilmember Lincoln Restler, a progressive, also called for Caban’s resignation.
“I’m not accustomed to writing this, but the New York Post editorial board got it right,” Restler wrote on X. “Police Commissioner Edward Caban must go.”
Messages to City Hall were not returned.
Holden acknowledged that there is no legal pathway for the City Council to remove a police commissioner.
“If we did hold a hearing on this ... they'll just clam up,” he said. “There's really nothing we could do at this point until there's formal charges.”
Tagged
new york city
public safety
us attorney's office
nypd
Mayor Eric Adams
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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