He gave this city his very best - the safety and . He also thanked Cantrell for supporting him throughout his tenure as chief, saying she often stood by his side when others called for him to stand down. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams criticized inconsistencies in NOPDs data and the FBIs data for arrests and solve rates. He liked the idea of putting the pieces of the puzzle together on complicated investigations. A majority of City Council members were among those chafing at word that Cantrell has already chosen a successor in Jonette Williams, a deputy police chief who would become the first woman to lead the NOPD. SO HAS THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO JOINED THE NOPD ALMOST 25 YEARS AGO. Ferguson said he does not remember sending the messages, but that they were not out of character. Williams would make history as the first woman to ever become superintendent of the department. I WAS NOT FORCED. Throughout her career, Superintendent Woodfork has completed several specialized trainings and received many awards and commendations. He emphasized that he was not forced out and that he spoke about retiring to New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell before Thanksgiving and even weighed his retirement during the budget hearings. His community-focused approach has helped mend the relationships between our officers and our residents. Superintendent Woodfork is a 32-year veteran of the department, joining the NOPD on Jan. 27, 1991. Fergusons exit comes as a new charter amendment is set to take effect Jan. 1, giving the council the power to confirm or deny mayoral appointments to key posts, including police chief. New Orleans, LA 70119, Hours of Operation Over this last year, the city has seen serious reductions in crime, such as aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, business and residential burglaries and non-fatal shootings. bloomingdale football tickets; party wear saree with stitched blouse Reform-minded Superintendent Richard Pennington, hired in 1994, had managed to put the department on a new course. During his tenure, he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Southern University of New Orleans and also received a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. He opened it up to fellow officers. She served 12 years as a Detective and later as a Sergeant in the departments Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit. 9:00am5:00pm, Non-Emergency Calls/To File Report(504) 821-2222 The City of New Orleans will soon bid farewell to a great leader, a great partner and a great friend. Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO Inc., the regional economic development agency, said the coalition is concerned with "the process, not the people. He also commanded the NOPDs Fourth District from 2014-2016. "Its time to go home. He gave this city his very best the safety and wellbeing of each and every resident and visitor was always his top priority, said Mayor LaToya Cantrell in a statement. 113 talking about this. Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. The right process will find the best people. Commercial audiobook. There werent many favorites. Ferguson graduated from O. Perry Walker High School in Algiers in 1990, according to his personal history record. He will be sworn in Friday. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of the month, according to a press release from the mayor's office on Tuesday. He is also a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Afterward, Ferguson began his long rise through the departments ranks. Barnes was hit, and blood poured out of him as his fellow officers tried to help. shaun ferguson is replacing former chief michael harrison, who resigned, taking a new post in baltimore the nopd says the arrest stems from a domestic dispute th happened over the weekend. Cantrells warm impression of Ferguson remained with her when, early last month, Harrison said he was stepping down to take over Baltimores troubled department. Published Dec 7, 2022 at 5:23 pm | Updated Dec 8, 2022 at 7:53 am. The 2nd District comprises the Carrollton, Freret, Leonidas neighborhoods and Uptown, all within Cantrells former council district. I appreciated the Chiefs recent willingness to listen to the community and the Councils reform recommendations to help NOPD meet the demands of today. Shaun Ferguson named new NOPD chief by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. I also want to thank the men & women of the NOPD for their continued hard work and service its citizens. Ferguson was hired by NOPD in 1995, NOPD records show. Still, Ferguson acknowledged politics as he described a toxic environment right now. He declined to assess Williams as a potential successor while he rattled off names of other NOPD brass he said were qualified to succeed him in the post. New Orleans police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson discusses decision to retire, IS WDSU NEWS AT FIVE. Ferguson's monthly financial retirement package would be $12,524 if he chooses not to work for a police department following his retirement from the NOPD, according to the Louisiana Municipal Police Employees Retirement System. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Adamant that he was not pressured to leave his post as the NOPD's superintendent, a solemn and sometimes emotional Shaun Ferguson on Wednesday (Dec. 7) said his decision to . Join me live on @FOX8NOLA at 5PM and 9PM for analysis. Mayor Cantrell has been steadfast in her support of Ferguson. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will take his final walk Thursday as acting police chief for the NOPD. Harrison served 4 years. Ferguson was sworn in as superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department on Jan. 18, 2019. He was fair across the board.. New Orleans Police Department Should Ferguson continue to work as a police officer in some capacity, he could keep contributing to his state retirement package. As Superintendent, Chief Ferguson helped shape the NOPD into a strong, trustworthy, professional and efficient department, capable of repairing the broken rapport between the NOPD and our citizens and business owners. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Amid building pressure, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire from his position effective Dec. 22, according to city officials. Hoping to beef up a dwindling police force amid a rise in . His tenure as Chief saw the national rise in crime due to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but under his diligent leadership, the NOPD persevered. Leave an email address and we'll do our best to respond! Subscribe to email updates, All Contents. Ferguson oversaw a department plagued by steep officer losses and few new recruits to replace them, while facing criticism over a lack of a plan to deal with the surge in violence as the force shrank. NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHY HE ADDRESSED THAT EARLIER TODAY. REPORTING LIVE OUTSIDE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, IM MORGAN LENTES WD. She will now be tasked with appointing a replacement. In 2012, Woodfork was selected by former Superintendent Ronal Serpas to launch the Alternative Police Response Unit, where she served as Commander. Prior to overseeing the academy, Ferguson served for about three years as commander of NOPDs 2nd District before being moved to the academy assignment in June 2018. Before then, Serpas sat in the superintendent's seat for a little more than 4 years. Cantrell revealed Ferguson as her permanent choice on Jan. 14, breaking with the tradition of forming a search committee or appointing an interim chief who would be given time to meet the community before getting the job permanently. "Everything I have been through, this department has been through, has been by his (God's) order and I will continue to follow that.". SO SUPERINTENDENT SEAN FERGUSON ADMITTED HAS BEEN A REALLY EMOTIONAL WEEK AND THAT HES ACTUALLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT. "Chief Ferguson has been dealing with an issue that no police chief has had to deal with in 100 years," Goyeneche said. Fergusons Algiers home emerged unscathed, aside from losing power. We must ensure that the next chief commits to upholding constitutional policing and transforming the department. E-mail nopdchief@nola.gov. At the time of his appointment to Chief, he was serving as the Commander of the Educational and Training Division, which oversees the police academy. We need a new Chief, period. "Since joining the NOPD in 1998, Chief Ferguson has served with honor, distinction and integrity. "I would like to extend the most heartfelt thank you to Chief Ferguson for your nearly 25 years of service, selflessness and sacrifice, especially in accepting my appointment of you as Chief in January 2019. Now Ferguson must apply those lessons to controlling crime in a city that is still one of the nations most violent, while implementing a highly complex, federally mandated reform plan designed to keep something like the Algiers 7 shootings from ever happening again. (504) 658-4000 And sometimes you know a decision has to be made, a very important and necessary decision.". Fergusons tenure he would have reached four years as chief next month -- is fairly standard for New Orleans police chiefs, who serve at the will of the mayor. Since then, the city has faced countless challenges the Hard Rock Hotel collapse, two major hurricanes, a global pandemic, global inflation and a nationwide shortage of public safety personnel that New Orleans was certainly not immune to. He has to go through his due process, just as any other individual whos accused of any criminal wrongdoing.. I did not ever imagine myself on the other side of the desk as the commanding officer, he said. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Also pushing for a national search was The Nola Coalition, a broad group of business and civic groups formed this year amid an ongoing surge in carjackings, shootings and murder. "After 24 years of service in a profession that takes a lot out of the individuals who answer this call, it is time for me to take a step back and place more priority on my family and my own well-being. We definitely want to go with the momentum that we ended 2018 with.. His tenure as Chief saw the national rise in crime due to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but under his diligent leadership, the NOPD persevered. He also navigated the department at a time when the police commission says there is a critical shortage of officers. In the roughly five years between graduating high school and joining the force, he worked as a private security guard and as a maintenance assistant for the Army Corps of Engineers. As a parent of a teenage son and lifelong resident of the City of New Orleans, Woodfork uniquely understands the challenges that the department and the city face as well as the success that can be achieved together. Lundy described Fergusons management style as valuing the employees under his charge, and that makes people work so much harder, he said. A 20-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department is an unconventional contender for the role of top cop not only because of who she isa, Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Ferguson said his commitment to accountability does not conflict with caring for officers, even ones who have fallen under criminal suspicion. Deputy superintendent eyed to become NOPD's first female superintendent. His community-focused approach has helped mend the relationships between our officers and our residents. Overall, Ferguson's work history, coupled with interviews with fellow cops, community members and other public officials, shows an officer equally comfortable charging through doors as shaking hands. Ed Chervenak, a political scientist at UNO, said that he expects Cantrell to do so, and doubted that it would change her already sour relationship with the council. HE WAS APPOINTED THE CITYS TOP COP IN EARLY 2019 WITH NO CLUE THE CHALLENGES TO COME. His . To this day I continue to think hes done a great job. Ferguson rose up as a beat cop in the 4th District, patrolling the Fischer public housing development in Algiers. At the time of his appointment to Chief, he was serving as the Commander of the Educational and Training Division, which oversees the police academy. Tell my wife that I love her, Barnes said. Ferguson and other officers rushed to the scene of the shooting. We need a new Chief., Superintendent Ferguson faced significant challenges over the past several years, and I want to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the people of our City. MY FAMILY HAS ENDURED A LOT. Who is Shaun Ferguson, NOPDs next police chief? Ferguson's final walk and salute will be held outside of Gallier Hall on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. Sources say Jonette Williams could be named the next NOPD superintendent. Type an address to get zoning, district, and service information for your location, 1300 Perdido St, New Orleans, LA 70112