Caribbean Heritage Cops Are Mayor’s Pick For NYPD Commissioner And Deputy

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. July 18, 2023: In a groundbreaking development, two veteran cops of Caribbean heritage have been chosen by Mayor Eric Adams as the next police commissioner and deputy of the NYPD.

Puerto Rican roots Edward Caban has been appointed as the next NYPD commissioner, becoming the first Hispanic person to lead the nation’s largest police department. He replaces Commissioner Keechant Sewell as the 46th police commissioner.  Sewell announced last month that she was stepping down after 18 months.

Accompanying this historic announcement, Mayor Adams has also named Tania Kinsella, who was born in NYC to Jamaican and Guyanese immigrant parents, as the next first deputy commissioner. Kinsella is also the first woman of color to serve in that position in the history of the NYPD.

Eric Adams, mayor of New York, from left, Edward Caban, first deputy commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and NYPD Officer Tania Kinsella during an event at the New York City Police Department (NYPD) 40th Precinct on in the Bronx borough of New York, US, on Monday, July 17, 2023. Adams announced the appointment of Caban as the 46th commissioner and Kinsella as 45th first deputy commissioner of the NYPD. Photographer: David Dee Delgado/Bloomberg via Getty Images

ABOUT CABAN

Caban, 55, was born and raised in The Bronx, joined the NYPD in 1991 and rose through the ranks to sergeant three years later. He made his way up to inspector and has worked in a variety of precincts, most recently as the adjutant in Brooklyn North patrol.

Over the past 32 years, he has served in several roles, including as a sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy inspector and inspector. In 2022, he was named first deputy commissioner.

Caban’s father, Juan Caban, was a transit officer at the same time as New York Mayor Eric Adams, and was the president of the Transit Police Hispanic Society. He retired as a detective.

“The NYPD is the most consequential police department in all of law enforcement,” Caban said. “Its storied history, its living legacy of valor, bravery and sacrifice, of ordinary New Yorkers who did extraordinary things.”

KINSELLA

A dedicated 20-year veteran of the NYPD, Deputy Commissioner Kinsella has held various roles across different precincts in the five boroughs, including captain, commanding officer, deputy inspector, and inspector. She rose through the ranks to become the commanding officer of the 120th precinct in Staten Island.

Previously serving as the executive officer at the office of the chief of patrol, Kinsella has consistently displayed exceptional leadership qualities. Her recent promotion to deputy chief further demonstrated her capabilities within the department.

Mayor Adams expressed his confidence in both Commissioner Caban and First Deputy Commissioner Kinsella, highlighting their remarkable achievements and emphasizing the significance of their appointments. He emphasized the need for a diverse leadership team that represents the richness and possibilities within the NYPD, aiming to address the department’s image problem and strengthen community bonds.

Kinsella, during her address as the newly appointed first deputy commissioner, expressed her honor and described her love for the police department as “love at first sight.” She acknowledged the rewarding nature of her job, emphasizing the importance of building community alongside ensuring public safety.

The appointments of Commissioner Caban and First Deputy Commissioner Kinsella signify a transformative step toward a more inclusive and representative NYPD, fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and the diverse communities they serve.