Edward Caban’s appointment as first Latino NYPD Commissioner cheered by city’s politicos
Latino leaders cheered Edward Caban’s appointment as the NYPD’s newest police commissioner, admitting it’s “about time” following years of frustrated efforts to boost the community’s political representation.
Caban was announced as the city’s top cop Monday morning to the roaring approval of a crowd gathered at the the 40th precinct in The Bronx where he started his career three decades ago.
“This is going to be one of the most significant and emotional moments for me,” Mayor Eric Adams said about promoting the acting commissioner who is of Puerto Rican descent and the son of a former NYPD transit cop.
Caban will lead a force of over 33,500 cops across the five boroughs — recent data shows 31% of the NYPD identifies as Latino.
“It’s not lost on me that today’s announcement is also a first. Given how many great leaders of Hispanic descent have come before me in the NYPD, to be the first Hispanic police commissioner is an honor of the highest measure,” Caban said with bursting pride alongside other prominent Latinos including Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the state’s first Latino DA elected in 2017.
“The first thing that I thought when I heard about the appointment was: it’s about time!” said Councilman Oswald Feliz (D-The Bronx), who is of Dominican descent.
Prior to making the official appointment, sources said Mayor Eric Adams favored replacing resigned Commissioner Keechant Sewell with a Latino or Latina, in line with his goal to increase diversity in his administration.
“We are in 2023 and this is our first Latino commissioner in the NYPD. This has historically been a white institution. I would love to see more Latinos everywhere in higher profile positions,” said City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala (D-Harlem).
The Puerto Rican native told The Post she’s excited about Caban’s new role and thinks because he’s a male he’ll fare better than Sewell, who sources said reportedly left her job after facing sexism and pushback from the department’s “old boys’ club” close to Adams.
“The fact that he’s a male, I think he’ll have a lot more flexibility than they allowed Keechant,” she said.
Ayala said despite Adams’ goal of expanding Latino representation, City Hall didn’t invite her to the Thursday announcement – despite the 40th precinct being located in her council district.
She’s also been a vocal opponent of the mayor’s homelessness policy.
Past reports detailed Sewell’s struggle with Adams over disciplining his NYPD allies, like Chief of Department Jefferey Maddrey.
“I think that this is a very machismo administration and I think that the men understand each other,” Ayala said. “There’s a better relationship among the male leaders there. I’m sure they’ll treat him a lot more fairly than they did Keechant.”
Additional reporting by Sophie Gardiner
