Mayor Eric Adams has officially named Edward Caban the next commissioner of the NYPD, making him the first Latino to lead the department.

Adams made the announcement Monday morning at the 40th Precinct in the South Bronx, where Caban began his policing career more than three decades ago.

“We knew we had to appoint the right person, and I saw in Eddie, a long time ago, the possibilities. I knew there was something special about Edward Caban,” Adams said as he stood on the steps leading up to the precinct, surrounded by police leaders and public officials. “I watched him, his discipline, his attitude, the diversity of the people who constantly told me what he meant to them.”

Adams credited Caban with helping former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell manage the department as violent crimes including shootings and homicides dropped across the city.

“He is the right choice for right now,” the mayor said.

Caban, 55, began his police career in 1991 and climbed the ranks quickly: within three years, he was promoted to sergeant, and in 1999, he became a lieutenant, Adams said in a news release. The Bronx native served at precincts in his home borough, as well as in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In 2022, under Sewell, Caban became the NYPD’s first deputy commissioner. He stepped into the role of acting commissioner after Sewell resigned at the end of June.

"My journey with the NYPD began over 32 years ago: a young Puerto Rican kid from Parkchester standing on a foot post in the South Bronx, just like thousands who came before me and thousands who have come after me," Caban said Monday morning.

Caban went on to credit his father, a former detective with the New York City Transit Police, with pushing him to rise through the NYPD’s ranks.

"I'm blessed that my dad is still with us and can see the impact of his guidance come full circle," he said, patting his father's shoulder.

Adams on Monday also selected Tania Kinsella to fill Caban’s spot as the NYPD’s first deputy commissioner, making her the first woman of color to hold the position, he said in his release.

Kinsella, a 20-year veteran of the NYPD, previously served as deputy chief of the Office of the Chief of Patrol, according to the release.

Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Hendry on Monday congratulated Caban on his historic appointment, while calling on the new top cop to tackle staffing issues.

"We know he knows what New York City police officers are going through right now, and that strong leadership is needed to reverse the current staffing crisis. There is no time to waste,” Hendry said in a statement. “We look forward to getting back to work with him immediately to improve quality-of-life for our police officers and ensure public safety for our entire city.”

The Legal Aid Society Legal, meanwhile, issued a statement urging Caban to “immediately meet with members of the community to establish and maintain channels for input and accountability.”

"Policing in New York City is in dire need of reform, and Mr. Caban has to make significant inroads with the public to improve their trust in the department he's about to lead,” the organization said.