New York City appoints its first Latino police commissioner Edward Caban

New York City has appointed its first Latino police commissioner as authorities work to diversify leadership of the country's largest police department and curb the city's crime rate.

Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that Edward Caban had been promoted to the city's top cop position. Caban, who is of Puerto Rican descent, has served as acting police commissioner since Keechant Sewell resigned in June.

Caban first joined the NYPD in 1991 and was the son of a transit police officer.

Caban was promoted to deputy inspector in 2008 and served as the adjunct of patrol for Brooklyn north where he "oversaw many public safety programs." In 2022, he became NYPD's First Deputy Commissioner.

Adams praised Caban for his success in the department. He credited Caban's leadership for helping with efforts to get "major crimes down in all 68 enforcement zones."

"Commissioner Caban has had a strong hand in this historic achievement and will continue this legacy of success going forward," Adams said.

Caban said in a statement that he was "humbled" to served in this new role.