According to Ferguson, he said Cantrell asked him to reconsider, but he told her that it was time to "go home.". "Everything I have been through, this department has been through, has been by his (God's) order and I will continue to follow that.". NOPD Supt. "I am grateful for the opportunity we had to work so closely together to improve our citys public safety through a collaborative, holistic approach and through working in tandem with other City departments.". Your steadfastness in the face of these challenges and tragedies certainly has been a source of comfort to your fellow officers, affected families and victims and our community overall. 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. THIS IS MY DECISION. His sons legal problems aside, Ferguson said he is focused on the task of overseeing the roughly 1,200 officers who patrol what is still one of the countrys most dangerous cities. He said that the data was not an indictment against officers who work for the NOPD and expressed his appreciation for the officers in the department.Ferguson called the back and forth between him and the DAs office unwarranted, and was firm in his message of the challenges the NOPD faced in regard to violent crime. The citys new chief took his oath with fanfare in front of Gallier Hall on Jan. 18. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of the month, according to a press release from the mayor's office on Tuesday. His first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday morning. He was fair across the board.. Ferguson emerged from the aftermath of Katrina with no known blotches on his record. The 2nd District comprises the Carrollton, Freret, Leonidas neighborhoods and Uptown, all within Cantrells former council district. Its not because Shaun Ferguson didnt know what to do. 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. New Orleans police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson addressed his decision to resign from the NOPD on Wednesday. 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. "To the men and women of this city, I love you. You have permission to edit this article. "It is vital that the community continue its support for this department. On Election Day (Nov. 8), New Orleans voters approved a Home Rule Charter change that gives the City Council power to confirm or deny mayoral appointees. Before this, he commanded NOPDs Fourth District from 2014 to 2016. I appreciated the Chiefs recent willingness to listen to the community and the Councils reform recommendations to help NOPD meet the demands of today. 715 South Broad St Ferguson saw the department through COVID-19 and two years of the highest violent crime rates since Hurricane Katrina.He also navigated the department at a time when the police commission says there is a critical shortage of officers. As they walked side by side during a neighborhood "walk against crime" one day, he noticed her picking up trash. His predecessor, Michael Harrison, received the same treatment when he left the NOPD to lead Baltimore's police department. Despite speculation from some political insiders, Ferguson said he had never had a conversation with Cantrell about the chiefs job before last month. In December 2022, Mayor Latoya Cantrell appointed Woodfork as Interim Superintendent of the New Orlean Police Department. The cause of Glover's death was kept under wraps for years. He also navigated the department at a time when the police commission says there is a critical shortage of officers. View spatial City data including the popular Property Viewer and Streetwise. So he has been the chief during the most troubling and trying times in the history of the city of New Orleans, Goyeneche said. He will be sworn in Friday. Ferguson will retire at year's end. SINCE BEFORE THANKSGIVING. ITS A DECISION SAYS WAS HIS AND HIS ALONE. He has to go through his due process, just as any other individual whos accused of any criminal wrongdoing.. Amid mounting pressure, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire from his position at the end of this year, according to a statement from Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Sitting in his new corner office on the top floor of police headquarters, Ferguson smiled when he was asked about his favorite moments from that first tour of duty. Join me live on @FOX8NOLA at 5PM and 9PM for analysis. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making the city safe for its residents and visitors. Those leadership attributes may have won the notice of then-Superintendent Ronal Serpas, who named Ferguson as commander of the 4th District in 2014 to replace a captain who had been sidelined amid an internal investigation. 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. I think Shauns biggest challenge was he continued to be asked to do great things with less and less people each day, and little political support to make recruiting and retention the governments No. 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. I also want to thank the men & women of the NOPD for their continued hard work and service its citizens. Moving forward, there should be a national search for a new police chief to find the best candidate to lead the NOPD. Charles Southall, describes Ferguson as an upstanding community person and a man of faith.. The 2nd District also includes the mayors neighborhood of Broadmoor. 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. The speedy transition meant the public had little chance to probe Fergusons background before he was named chief, a process that is beginning as he takes the reins. As he ascended into the upper tier of NOPD leadership, Ferguson maintained a near-spotless disciplinary record, with the exception of a single sustained complaint three years ago. Ferguson said he first met Cantrell as a lieutenant in the 2nd District, where he served from 2012 to 2014. This is New Orleans. I did not ever imagine myself on the other side of the desk as the commanding officer, he said. As the New Orleans City Council approved the city budget for the upcoming year, including a package of incentives for recruiting and retaining New Orleans Police officer, councilmember at-large J.P. Morrell repeated his desire to see NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson replaced. Investigators said Ferguson was on duty as the 2nd District commander on March 28, 2016, when he blew through a stop sign at Eighth and St. Thomas streets obscured by an overgrown tree. NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHY HE ADDRESSED THAT EARLIER TODAY. I am grateful for the opportunity we had to work so closely together to improve our citys public safety through a collaborative, holistic approach and through working in tandem with other City departments.. 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. My parents were not comfortable with me being on the job.. SuperintendentWoodfork is a 32-year veteran of the department, joining the NOPD on Jan. 27, 1991. WE HAVE TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER. Emergency Calls: 911. We can see that Chief Fergusons strong commitment, willingness to consult with other public safety experts and his well-trained police force are making a difference in this city today. I was not forced out. The storm brought out the best and worst in the NOPD. See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche said yesterday that NOPD Superintendent Shaun D. Ferguson deserves the highest accolades for his handling of the department since the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests began. While Ferguson patrolled the French Quarter and Central Business District, colleagues across the river were involved in an incident that reopened the unhealed scars of the Algiers 7 shootings and erased trust the department had rebuilt under Pennington. It would be disingenuous to the appointee and the people of this city if there were any attempt to circumvent this process, therefore, I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage the public in a community discussion on this important next step. "I also want to thank the citizens of this great city for their kind words and support during my tenure. Officers grievances included cronyism, favoritism, and being promoted based on who you know and not on ability or experience, she said of the results. She was then assigned as a Lieutenant in the 1st District before being promoted to the rank of Captain in November of 2021. To the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department, I love you," Ferguson said. Its time to sit back, look at what I have done, Ferguson said. Sources tell FOX 8 recently promoted Deputy Superintendent Jonette Williams is the frontrunner to be tapped by Cantrell to replace Ferguson. A 17-year-old male, a 16-year-old female and two 15-year-old females were booked at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center on one count of second-degree murder, according to the NOPD. Including victim assistance, accident and incident reports, and how to file complaints or commendations. A policewoman had a hand in killing her partner and two others during a botched robbery at a New Orleans East restaurant, and a policeman had a hit man murder a woman who had filed a brutality complaint against him. Cantrell elevated him from 2nd District commander to the NOPDs top post after Harrison left. Commanders, 16 of which the NOPD superintendent appoints at will, fall administratively just behind the three assistant superintendents and the superintendent. But his tenure quickly proved challenging, with the outbreak of the COVID pandemic and a reversal of steep dips in violent crime. HE SAYS DESPITE RECENT CRITICISM AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, HE CHOSE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. To this day I continue to think hes done a great job. 1 priority, said Ronal Serpas, a former NOPD superintendent who teaches at Loyola University. Former NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas says Ferguson had to play a game with very little support.. WDSU FIRST BROKE THE NEWS YESTERDAY THAT THE TOP COP WOULD RETIRE BY THE END OF THE YEAR. We were a close-knit unit, Ferguson said of his early days. Deputy superintendent eyed to become NOPD's first female superintendent. What I can take credit for is taking individuals and bringing the best out of individuals and making them a team, he said. Ive been shot, another cop yelled to the dispatchers. Under NOPD policy, however, no officer can drive with any amount of alcohol in their blood. Ferguson, a native of New Orleans, is a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School in 1990 and joined the NOPD in December 1998. Keen to name a successor quickly, Cantrell summoned Ferguson to her office on Jan. 9, two days after Harrison informed her he was leaving. It was a department in shambles, sullied by terrible crime statistics and violence coming from inside the department itself. or dial 311 or (504) 539-3266. Across the board, people respect him, Lundy said. 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. NOTE: This story was updated Wednesday morning with additional information from court records. Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department HomeNew Orleans Police Department Administration Superintendent of Police. Several council members expressed concern that Cantrell will skirt that new vetting process by quickly naming a new superintendent. After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City of New Orleans, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of this year. Hoping to beef up a dwindling police force amid a rise in . Various boards, commissions and districts defined in both City and State law. New Orleans police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson speaks during a news conference in New Orleans on Dec. 7, 2022. If one needed to go check on a house, we all went together, he said. WDSU REPORTER MORGAN LENTES AT NOPD HEADQUARTERS WITH WHAT THE OUTGOING SUPERINTENDENT HAD TO SAY. Updated: Dec 7, 2022 / 09:40 AM CST. Ferguson was named 4th District officer of the year in 2000, 2002 and 2003, according to his resum. 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. That change does not go into effect until Jan. 1, meaning Cantrell could appoint a new police chief without council approval. 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. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., where she has dedicated 28 years of service. BUT IT STARTS, AS I SAID LAST WEEK WITH COMMUNICATION. The department is down to fewer than 950 commissioned officers from about 1,175 when he took office. During his year-long recovery, the cops on his squad Ferguson among them donated sick days, called constantly and organized fundraisers.
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