Loyal to a fault

To the editor:

Now that NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned, the question will be what other heads in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration will be lopped off in the wake of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.  

While neither Adams nor any of his officials have been formally charged with any crimes, there are serious concerns about whether Adams and his staff can perform the difficult jobs of law enforcement and other work by city agencies while under the pressure of serious investigations. 

Adams has one of the faults that is clearly seen in many politicians, most notably, Donald Trump.  That is, Adams prioritizes loyalty to him over the competence and integrity of the people he chooses to work in his administration.  

This is clearly seen in his stubborn defense of officials who have been under investigation and have been sued over serious issues. In contrast to loyalty to his closest friends, we have the case of Keechant Sewell, former police commissioner, who was either forced out or resigned apparently over her insistence to charge and penalize the chief of department, Jeffrey Maddrey, for interfering with an arrest of a former police officer accused of drawing his gun as he chased three youths.  

For any leader, loyalty of his or her subordinates is important, but it is not more important than integrity and competence. Many City Council members and community leaders don’t trust Adams to choose leaders of city agencies who prioritize honesty, integrity and impartiality over loyalty to the mayor.  

Michael J. Gorman

The writer is a retired NYPD lieutenant and an attorney.