New York City has a new interim police commissioner, Thomas Donlon, following the resignation of Edward Caban. This change in leadership comes at a crucial time for the city, as it grapples with various challenges, including crime, public safety, immigration and the expanding investigations swirling around Mayor Eric Adams and his coterie of supporters and staff.
In the past week the FBI has seized the phones of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban as part of a citywide corruption investigation. The ongoing probe has also involved other high-ranking officials within the city’s administration. The investigation, led by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, has cast a wide net over the city’s governance, with devices of several members of Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle also being confiscated.
While the specific details of the investigation remain undisclosed, it is clear that the implications are far-reaching, potentially touching various aspects of the city’s operations and leadership. Commissioner Caban, who made history as the first Latino to lead the NYPD, has stated through his lawyers that he is not the target of the investigation and has pledged his cooperation with federal authorities. Nevertheless, his close association with those targeted has made his incumbency problematic and after pressure from Adams, he resigned.
In making the new appointment, Adams stated, “Tom is an experienced law enforcement professional who has worked at the local, state, federal and international levels.”
Thomas Donlon is not a new name in law enforcement; his career spans several decades and includes significant roles at both local and federal levels. He has served as New York’s Director of the Office of Homeland Security, where he worked on statewide counterterror measures. His experience also extends to the FBI, where he ran the National Threat Center and the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force, investigating significant cases like the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the USS Cole bombing.
Donlon’s appointment by Mayor Eric Adams has been met with optimism, as he brings a deep experience to the table. “I am honored and humbled to be named interim-Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, the greatest law enforcement agency in the world,” Donlon said in a statement.
“My goals are clear: continue the historic progress decreasing crime and removing illegal guns from our communities, uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and support our dedicated officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” he added.
He graciously added, “I want to thank outgoing Commissioner Caban for his service to this department throughout his more than 30-year career and I look forward to building on the progress this administration has made keeping New York City the safest big city in America.”
