Written by: Sam Orlando
NEW YORK CITY — In a plot twist befitting a crime novel, the New York Police Department (NYPD) finds itself entangled in a scandal involving identical twins, alleged impersonation, and nightclub shenanigans. It's a tale that raises the question: When is a police commissioner not a police commissioner? Apparently, when it's his twin brother.
The Players:
Edward Caban: The former NYPD Commissioner, appointed in 2023, who resigned in September 2024 amid a federal investigation.
James Caban: Edward's twin brother, a former NYPD officer dismissed two decades ago after an altercation with a taxi driver.
The Allegations:
According to a complaint filed by NYPD Lieutenant Emelio Rodriques with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), James Caban allegedly impersonated his brother, the police commissioner, during visits to the 34th Precinct in Washington Heights. The purpose? To influence enforcement activities related to certain nightclubs and lounges that, coincidentally, seemed to operate with a Teflon coating when it came to police oversight.
Rodriques claims that precinct commander Inspector Aneudy Castillo facilitated this charade, allowing officers to believe they were receiving directives from the top brass himself. The complaint suggests that officers were instructed to ignore complaints about establishments linked to James Caban, effectively granting them diplomatic immunity in the nightlife scene.
The Repercussions:
Lieutenant Rodriques, who perhaps naively believed that integrity was part of his job description, alleges that his attempts to report this misconduct were met with retaliation. He faced discrimination based on his race and national origin, was removed from his role as Integrity Control Officer, subjected to psychological evaluations, and ultimately transferred to a less desirable assignment.
The Broader Implications:
This scandal doesn't exist in a vacuum. Former Commissioner Edward Caban's resignation came on the heels of a federal investigation that saw his phone confiscated by agents—a move that typically suggests things are not going well. The investigation also touches the administration of Mayor Eric Adams, adding another layer to this multifaceted debacle.
A Comedy of Errors:
The notion that officers couldn't distinguish between the commissioner and his twin brother, especially given James's two-decade absence from the force, would be humorous if it weren't so concerning. It's reminiscent of a Shakespearean comedy, but with fewer laughs and more indictments.
Answering Tough Questions:
As investigations continue, the NYPD faces serious questions about internal oversight, the influence of personal relationships on law enforcement, and how, in a city as vast as New York, such a farcical situation could unfold. One can only hope that future directives come from the actual commissioner and not his doppelgänger.