We have also seen more illegal guns being taken off our streets, with nearly 2,500 illegal guns seized just this year. "To the men and women of this city, I love you. 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. Well change as we need to change, he said. He tested at .03, well below the legal driving limit of .08. 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. Pennington came as a reform agent, and upon doing so, he earned a lot of the communitys trust, he said. 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. He was a 13-year veteran of the NOPD. And thats what this is all about.". Cantrell told him she hated to see the neighborhood blighted. Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. "Ferguson issued the following statement regarding his retirement: "I want to thank Mayor Cantrell and her administration for their constant support over the past four years. 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. Across the board, people respect him, Lundy said. 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 will be sworn in Friday. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He also says he believes the next Superintendent of the NOPD should come from inside the NOPD. After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City of New Orleans, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of this year. THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE FROM DOING THEIR JOB. As they walked side by side during a neighborhood "walk against crime" one day, he noticed her picking up trash. (booking photo via Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office). Landry-O.P. Since joining the NOPD in 1998, Chief Ferguson has served with honor, distinction and integrity. No matter how much money we throw at these officers, were not listening to them, said Morrell. "Copyright 2023 The City of New Orleans"|Report Fraud|Site Policies & Information. Ferguson said his decision to retire was an emotional one. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporters Heather Nolan and Carlie Kollath Wells contributed to this story. NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHY HE ADDRESSED THAT EARLIER TODAY. ", "It is quite possible that this person already exists within NOPD," he said, "but if so, they need to be selected via a process that engenders the most NOPD and community support.". You have permission to edit this article. His application remained on file, however. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making this city safe for its residents and visitors. We just kind of hit it off from there.. She received both a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement from Southern University at New Orleans. SINCE BEFORE THANKSGIVING. According to Ferguson, he said Cantrell asked him to reconsider, but he told her that it was time to "go home.". It has just humbled me throughout my career as to how to work with people, and how you should be a brotherhood-sisterhood with each other while taking care of your community.. We must ensure that the next chief commits to upholding constitutional policing and transforming the department. Son of new NOPD chief arrested after domestic dispute, Laura McKnight, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Cantrell has yet to name Ferguson's replacement, though multiple sources inside and outside the police department say she's chosen Williams. Richard Pennington, the only NOPD chief since 1980 who didnt rise through local law enforcement ranks, served eight years under former Mayor Marc Morial beginning in 1994, the city's high-water mark for deadly violence. Cantrell led the Broadmoor Improvement Association at the time. Ferguson said he does not remember sending the messages, but that they were not out of character. Most notably, she received the Purple Heart Letter Award in 2017 after being struck by a drunk driver who plowed his vehicle into a crowd of 30 Endymion parade goers while she was on parade duty. Other questions that remain include whether Ferguson will be able to see the department through its federal consent decree and extend the recent drop in violent crime. Ferguson is a New Orleans native and a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School in 1990. AND I THINK THAT IS MY GRADE A COP. Tell my wife that I love her, Barnes said. Between 2004 and 2007, he worked "persons crimes" in the 3rd and 8th districts, which respectively patrol areas such as Gentilly and the French Quarter. Ferguson also sits on the board of the Jugs Social Club, which organizes the historically black Krewe of NOMTOC's Carnival parade on the west bank. SO HAS THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO JOINED THE NOPD ALMOST 25 YEARS AGO. As New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson reflected on his impending retirement while denying he was shoved out, a chorus rose Wednesday for Mayor . 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. 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. Whatever the city asks of me, he told her. NOTE: This story was updated Wednesday morning with additional information from court records. Because the suspects are minors, their names and photos have not been released. 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. Ferguson emerged from the aftermath of Katrina with no known blotches on his record. Ferguson and other officers rushed to the scene of the shooting. Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. He opened it up to fellow officers. NOPD Supt. Ferguson said his commitment to accountability does not conflict with caring for officers, even ones who have fallen under criminal suspicion. Ive been shot, another cop yelled to the dispatchers. I talk to him almost every day, Ferguson said. . "Since joining the NOPD in 1998, Chief Ferguson has served with honor, distinction and integrity. The crucible of Algiers, an area apart from the rest of New Orleans with its own history of violence and police brutality, helped shape the 21-year NOPD veterans approach to the job. Williams would become the first woman to serve as New Orleans top law enforcement officer and the first Black female NOPD superintendent. 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. However, Superintendent Harrison, the man Ferguson describes as his mentor, ordered him to serve a five-day suspension. When Ive taken people to jail I have encouraged them to have a better life, to make a better decision, he said. While this is a family matter, Chief Ferguson wants to be clear that the NOPD will conduct a proper and complete investigation just like we do in every case, Cunningham said. His first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Ferguson faced difficult times during his tenure as superintendent. Ferguson previously served as Commander of the NOPDs Second District from 2016-2018. "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. Before then, Serpas sat in the superintendent's seat for a little more than 4 years. And sometimes you know a decision has to be made, a very important and necessary decision.". Woodfork is a graduate of St. Marys Academy High School. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Jan. 14 announced the 46-year-old Ferguson as her choice to replace former chief Michael Harrison, who has taken a job as police commissioner in Baltimore. Shaun Ferguson, who served as an NOPD commander, was sworn in Friday as NOPDs new superintendent. Noel and Ferguson worked together in the 2nd District when Noel was the commander there. AND RIGHT NOW, FERGUSON TELLS US HE HAS NO PLANS ONCE HE OFFICIALLY RETIRES ON DECEMBER 22ND. You just let the city know, no we will not let this unfortunate situation dictate who we are, Ferguson said at the time. Growing library of dashboards tracking City dat and initiatives. All rights reserved. He was one of our young leaders that we identified when I was superintendent and Im very proud of him, said Serpas. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM, EVEN AS THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS ON THE FORCE DWINDLED. She was then assigned as a Lieutenant in the 1st District before being promoted to the rank of Captain in November of 2021. 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. His tibia had to be rebuilt with a bone graft before he could walk again. He worked for a time as a supervisor in the homicide division. I appreciated the Chiefs recent willingness to listen to the community and the Councils reform recommendations to help NOPD meet the demands of today. Ferguson later explained that he had been drinking the night before at an Easter celebration. She served 12 years as a Detective and later as a Sergeant in the department's Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit. "This has been an emotional week, an emotional month. Ferguson rose up as a beat cop in the 4th District, patrolling the Fischer public housing development in Algiers. 9 talking about this. Algiers was a tough place to be a cop as Ferguson was moving up the ranks, and developing relationships with the community while remaining tough on criminals was a daily battle. Ferguson was sworn in as superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department on Jan. 18, 2019. Through a spokesman, Ferguson called the misstatement a typo, adding that he meant to refer to a different metric that did in fact decline according to internal department records. 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. Earlier in his career, Ferguson had arrested some members of the extended Glover family when they were still kids, and had tried to set them on the right path. We need a new Chief, period. 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. A New Orleans Advocate analysis of the citys 911 database suggests that crime actually rose by 25 percent during Fergusons tenure there, outstripping the citywide 11 percent increase. WE HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE. By Chris Miller. "I also want to thank the citizens of this great city for their kind words and support during my tenure. I will still be your neighbor, and I will always be a part of the city that I love so much.. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. As the number of officers started to go down, we saw a violent crime surge in the city - up 136% over the last three years. 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. "After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City . According to Ferguson, he said Cantrell asked him to reconsider, but he told her that it was time to "go home." I could not have done my job without their support, and I will always be grateful for that. Who is Shaun Ferguson, NOPDs next police chief?
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