WDSU FIRST BROKE THE NEWS YESTERDAY THAT THE TOP COP WOULD RETIRE BY THE END OF THE YEAR. NOPD Supt. December 1, 2022 12:50 pm. They've been 100 percent, anything I needed, anything I wanted, Barnes said. 9 talking about this. From a nearly 50-year low in homicides in 2019, shootings and murders have surged across the city. He has held the position for the past six months. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporters Heather Nolan and Carlie Kollath Wells contributed to this story. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune). Ferguson was hired by NOPD in 1995, NOPD records show. 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. I encourage anyone that is going through something, I wish them the best. In the late 1990s, the neighborhood still had a lingering distrust of the police from the notorious Algiers 7 police shootings that left four black people dead as officers hunted for the killer of a white cop in 1980. Before this, he commanded NOPDs Fourth District from 2014 to 2016. Published: 2:34 PM CST December 6, 2022. See a spelling or grammar error in our story? If one needed to go check on a house, we all went together, he said. 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. Ferguson said he broached his planned exit with Cantrell before Thanksgiving. The DA and Ferguson eventually put their differences aside and formed a partnership where the two launched a Serial Crimes Prevention and Prosecution Initiative. He also navigated the department at a time when the police commission says there is a critical shortage of officers. MORGANS HEY TRAVERS. 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. 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. Carjackings are up 103% and armed robberies are up 29%.. In a statement, Ferguson thanked the mayor and the citizens of New Orleans. 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. We just kind of hit it off from there.. InspireNOLA charter school network in November honored Ferguson with a community service award. 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. I just hope he stays prayed up and does the right thing, she said. He said he has no future career plans. The situation was perfect to accomplish that goal, said Donovan Livaccari, attorney for the local Fraternal Order of Police, noting the pressure from the council. He was fair across the board.. The New Orleans Superintendent of Police has resigned. Cantrell will give Ferguson a traditional sendoff with a "Final Walk" scheduled for Dec. 22 outside Gallier Hall on St. Charles Avenue. WE HAVE TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER. And sometimes you know a decision has to be made, a very important and necessary decision.". Because the suspects are minors, their names and photos have not been released. Barnes was hit, and blood poured out of him as his fellow officers tried to help. Ferguson currently serves as commander of the Education and Training Division, which oversees the police academy. (504) 658-4000
Ferguson was very vocal in the past year regarding crime and how the Orleans Parish district attorney handled convictions. Livaccari noted that the NOPD is a relatively young police force. or dial 311 or (504) 539-3266. 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. Williams would become the first woman to serve as New Orleans top law enforcement officer and the first Black female NOPD superintendent. The City of New Orleans will soon bid farewell to a great leader, a great partner and a great friend. By Ken Daley. 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. Ferguson announced his retirement from the NOPD a few weeks ago. Ferguson also asked the community to continue to uplift the police officers of the city, praising the dedication of his officers on the force. 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 LaToya Cantrell to look far and wide for a new chief. Ferguson said that when he finally sat down in his office at the 4th District, he looked back on a profession that had started as just a job but became a calling. Yet, you faced all of these seemingly insurmountable hurdles with dignity, grace and determination. 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. New Orleans police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson discusses decision to retire, IS WDSU NEWS AT FIVE. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams criticized inconsistencies in NOPDs data and the FBIs data for arrests and solve rates. In 2016, she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, initially assigned to the 7th District before moving to the 2nd District under the supervision of then Commander Shaun Ferguson. 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. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson talks to reporters outside the federal courthouse in New Orleans on Aug. 17, 2022. 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. "It is vital that the community continue its support for this department. That change does not go into effect until Jan. 1, meaning Cantrell could appoint a new police chief without council approval. This time Ferguson and his parents saw a different police force. Hoping to beef up a dwindling police force amid a rise in . He stresses the virtues of a smooth transition. Fergusons first assignment was in Algiers, the same neighborhood where he grew up. Ferguson said the detectives on the case deserve the credit for the arrest and conviction of the suspect, Kendall Harrison, whos now serving a life sentence. 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. Woodfork is a graduate of St. Marys Academy High School. "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. 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. He was one of our young leaders that we identified when I was superintendent and Im very proud of him, said Serpas. IN FACT, HE SAYS ORLEANS MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL ASKED HIM TO RECONSIDER. Ferguson joined the NOPD in December 1998. How are you making out? Ferguson wrote. Thank you New Orleans! Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making the city safe for its residents and visitors. Moments after dropping his two sons off at their school bus stop, Ainsworth was fatally shot in Algiers Point while trying to defend a woman who was being carjacked. Hes just a really sincere person. He was promoted to that job in March 2014, near the end of former superintendent Ronal Serpas tenure. Superintendent Shaun Ferguson chastised journalists Tuesday (July 26) for . She served 12 years as a Detective and later as a Sergeant in the department's Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit. Today, only one officer involved in the case is in prison the one who burned the car with Glovers body inside. 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.. 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. Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. He gave this city his very best - the safety and . You had some high tension between the community and the Police Department, he said. NOPD superintendent Shaun Ferguson Sr., left, and outgoing chief Michael Harrison, salute one another during the final walk and swearing-in ceremony at Gallier Hall on St. Charles Ave. Friday, Jan . Cantrells warm impression of Ferguson remained with her when, early last month, Harrison said he was stepping down to take over Baltimores troubled department. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Amid building pressure, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire from his position effective Dec. 22, according to city officials. We have also seen more illegal guns being taken off our streets, with nearly 2,500 illegal guns seized just this year. His community-focused approach has helped mend the relationships between our officers and our residents. In August 2015, during jury selection for veteran 4th District Officer Michael Thomassies trial on allegations of raping a 7-year-old girl, Thomassie received a pair of text messages from Ferguson. 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. Although crime had fallen under Penningtons watch, it still plagued much of the city, including Algiers. bloomingdale football tickets; party wear saree with stitched blouse Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. Ferguson previously served as Commander of the NOPDs Second District from 2016-2018. Jacob Lundy, a former NOPD officer who resigned in 2017 after 10 years and works as a criminal justice consultant, worked under Ferguson in the 2nd District when he joined the department. Cantrell has yet to name Ferguson's replacement, though multiple sources inside and outside the police department say she's chosen Williams. The citys new chief took his oath with fanfare in front of Gallier Hall on Jan. 18. 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.. Follow Matt Sledge on Twitter, @mgsledge. He liked the idea of putting the pieces of the puzzle together on complicated investigations. Whatever the city asks of me, he told her. 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. Cantrell led the Broadmoor Improvement Association at the time. Across the board, people respect him, Lundy said. 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. New Orleans, LA 70119, Hours of Operation
2018. Shane Ferguson, the 21-year-old son of NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, was booked into the Orleans Justice Center jail on a charge of domestic-abuse battery Tuesday night, Jan. 22, 2019. Leave an email address and we'll do our best to respond! Warren Riley served five years as chief, and Eddie Compass served three. 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. 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. 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. We have also seen more illegal guns being taken off our streets, with nearly 2,500 illegal guns seized just this year. Williams would make history by becoming the first female Superintendent in NOPD history. Ferguson is a New Orleans native and a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School in 1990. Williams would make history by becoming the first female Superintendent in NOPD history. Under NOPD policy, however, no officer can drive with any amount of alcohol in their blood. In a lengthy interview detailing his career, Ferguson said he was accepted into the police academy, but after talking with his parents, he backed out. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making this city safe for its residents and visitors. 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. My parents were not comfortable with me being on the job.. "About Jonette Williams:Jonette Williams spent most of her career working in the Public Affairs Division and the Fourth District.Williams was recently promoted to Deputy Superintendent in June. shaun ferguson nopd wife. Shaun Ferguson announces retirement, La. HE SAYS DESPITE RECENT CRITICISM AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, HE CHOSE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. However, Superintendent Harrison, the man Ferguson describes as his mentor, ordered him to serve a five-day suspension. Commander Shaun Ferguson who spent much of his 21-year-career in the New Orleans Police Department in leadership roles in Uptown districts is Mayor LaToya Cantrell's choice to be the department's next chief. Williams would make history as the first woman to ever become superintendent of the department. "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. Click Here to report it. They stayed connected while Ferguson moved between posts. Williams was recently promoted to Deputy Superintendent in June. Ferguson was hand-picked by Cantrell and had previously served as head of the training academy and commander of the second and fourth police districts in New Orleans. Before this, he commanded NOPDs Fourth District from 2014 to 2016. The right process will find the best people. "Copyright 2023 The City of New Orleans"|Report Fraud|Site Policies & Information. It was Officer Juan Barnes Sr., one of Fergusons comrades in the Algiers-based 4th District of New Orleans. The George Floyd social justice movement, Goyeneche said. ", "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.". WDSU REPORTER MORGAN LENTES AT NOPD HEADQUARTERS WITH WHAT THE OUTGOING SUPERINTENDENT HAD TO SAY.