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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a surprising revelation, the Qatari government funded a trip for New York City’s Police Commissioner Edward Caban to visit the Middle East. As was reported by The New York Post, this trip was part of a series of international journeys that Mayor Eric Adams’ administration has kept relatively under wraps. According to Caban’s annual financial report, which was recently obtained by The Post, he embarked on six international trips last year, with the expenses covered by foreign governments or pro-policing organizations.
The annual financial disclosure, required by the city’s Conflict of Interest Board, unveiled several previously unreported trips. Among these were journeys to Qatar, Australia, and Florida. These trips, until now, were not publicly acknowledged by the Adams administration. The Post report indicated that when inquiries about the funding of these trips arose, the administration only stated that no New York City taxpayer money was used, avoiding specifics about the actual sources of the funding.
Caban’s trips to Qatar were particularly notable. He visited the country twice in 2023. One trip, sponsored by Qatar’s Ministry of the Interior, involved attending a local police graduation, participating in a conference, and holding various meetings. The second trip was financed by the Embassy of the State of Qatar, aimed at observing and collaborating on security practices. As per the information provided in The Post report, these trips were not disclosed publicly by the NYPD, even though the costs, estimated between $1,000 and $4,999 for travel, accommodations, and meals, were listed in the financial report.
The timing of one of Caban’s trips to Qatar raised eyebrows, as it coincided with New York City bracing for potential unrest following Hamas attacks in Israel last October. This trip only came to light during security briefings with councilmembers, who were previously unaware of Caban’s absence. Indicated in The Post report was that the lack of transparency surrounding these trips has sparked concern among local officials and the public, highlighting the need for clearer communication and accountability within the administration.
The disclosure of these trips adds to the scrutiny of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, particularly regarding its handling of high-profile city officials’ activities and expenses. The administration’s refusal to initially disclose the sources of funding for Caban’s international travel has raised questions about transparency and governance, The Post report said. It also underscores the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and ensuring that public officials’ actions are in the best interests of the city and its residents.
In one notable instance, photos surfaced showing Commissioner Caban alongside Qatar’s Minister of Interior at the Lusail International Circuit, a racetrack near Doha. State media reported that during this visit, the two officials discussed enhancing cooperation between the U.S. and Qatar in the field of security. The Post reported that this visit, part of two trips to Qatar in 2023, was funded by the Qatari Ministry of Interior for one trip and the Embassy of the State of Qatar for the other. The financial disclosures estimate the cost for each trip between $1,000 and $4,999, covering travel, accommodations, and meals.
Commissioner Caban’s travels were not limited to the Middle East. He also attended the 16th Annual Pearls of Policing conference in Sydney, Australia. The report in The Post indicated that this conference, held in May 2023 while Caban was still serving as the first deputy commissioner, focused on international policing strategies and was funded by the conference organizers, again costing an estimated $1,000 to $4,999.
In mid-November 2023, Caban participated in the Mayor’s Summit Against Antisemitism in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This event was funded by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, with similar cost estimates. The report noted that these trips were not initially disclosed to the public, adding to the concerns about transparency within the administration.
Another significant trip took Caban to the Dominican Republic, where he was involved in an agreement between the NYPD and the Dominican national police to protect polling stations for Dominican expats in New York City. While the Dominican government reportedly covered this trip, there was some confusion about funding sources. Noted in The Post report was that the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, Tarik Sheppard, had initially indicated that the New York City Police Foundation, a privately funded entity, covered the expenses. However, financial disclosures later clarified the actual funding sources.
The only trip confirmed to be funded by the New York City Police Foundation was Caban’s attendance at the annual SOMOS conference. This trip was an expected disclosure, as many city officials and high-ranking NYPD members typically attend this event.
The lack of transparency and the initial refusal to disclose funding sources for Commissioner Caban’s travels have raised significant ethical concerns. The report in The Post said that calls to City Hall and the NYPD for comments on these revelations were not returned, leaving many questions unanswered about the decision-making processes and the implications of foreign-funded travels for city officials.
