There was a problem saving your notification. Given his deep community ties, Ferguson may have been destined to cross paths with LaToya Cantrell, who began as a neighborhood organizer before becoming a City Council member and then mayor. 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. That change does not go into effect until Jan. 1, meaning Cantrell could appoint a new police chief without council approval. Mayor Cantrell has been steadfast in her support of Ferguson. Reform-minded Superintendent Richard Pennington, hired in 1994, had managed to put the department on a new course. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHY HE ADDRESSED THAT EARLIER TODAY. We were a close-knit unit, Ferguson said of his early days. NOPD superintendent Shaun Ferguson is lashing out at a cop who quit mid-shift last Friday, but that cop isn't alone. To the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department, I love you," Ferguson said. Some officers saved lives while others took them or deserted their city. 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. Before this, he commanded NOPDs Fourth District from 2014 to 2016. And there was one discrepancy in his resumas submitted for consideration for the chiefs job. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and returned to the homicide beat from 2011 to 2012. He called the profession of a police officer a "noble calling," saying it was a job that he put before his family for a long time. NOPD Supt. But the fellow officers brush with death became a formative experience for Ferguson, and one he still remembers clearly nearly two decades later after being sworn in recently as superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. Shaun Ferguson, who served as an NOPD commander, was sworn in Friday as NOPDs new superintendent. 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. 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. He recalls her opening the conversation simply: Are you ready to be my chief?. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. In December 2022, Mayor Latoya Cantrell appointed Woodfork as Interim Superintendent of the New Orlean Police Department. IM WALKING OUT ON MY OWN ACCORD. Ferguson was named 4th District officer of the year in 2000, 2002 and 2003, according to his resum. So far, Ferguson has not announced any major changes to his predecessors approach to violent crime or to the departments reform agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, called a consent decree. As they walked side by side during a neighborhood "walk against crime" one day, he noticed her picking up trash. NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Chief Shaun Ferguson officially announced his retirement. IN FACT, HE SAYS ORLEANS MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL ASKED HIM TO RECONSIDER. We have also seen more illegal guns being taken off our streets, with nearly 2,500 illegal guns seized just this year. "We all loved Everett and we owe it to his memory to do what we can to make sure his. 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. We just kind of hit it off from there.. 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 emerged from the aftermath of Katrina with no known blotches on his record. SUPERINTENDENT SEAN FERGUSON WANTS TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. Several council members expressed concern that Cantrell will skirt that new vetting process by quickly naming a new superintendent. "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. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson speaks during a press conference in New Orleans on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. There werent many favorites. His first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday morning. 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. 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. That is who I am. The citys new chief took his oath with fanfare in front of Gallier Hall on Jan. 18. 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. Fergusons Algiers home emerged unscathed, aside from losing power. +56 9 8252 6387 (La Reina) +56 9 8435 2712 (Las Condes) marks and spencer ladies coats. 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. His community-focused approach has helped mend the relationships between our officers and our residents. The Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office on Monday dropped a domestic violence charge against the son of Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson. NEW ORLEANS In a seismic shake-up that has been widely rumored for months, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson is . No additional details were immediately available about the dispute.". You have permission to edit this article. Ferguson, 46, first applied to join the NOPD in 1995, when the city had just seen its highest-ever murder count. But his tenure quickly proved challenging, with the outbreak of the COVID pandemic and a reversal of steep dips in violent crime. Thank you New Orleans! SO HAS THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO JOINED THE NOPD ALMOST 25 YEARS AGO. "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.". And thats what this is all about.". HE SAYS DESPITE RECENT CRITICISM AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, HE CHOSE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. "I just hope that nothing is done in the selection of this new chief that would make the public lose confidence in the city, and city leadership," said King. One of the most high-profile cases he oversaw was the shooting of Harry Mike Ainsworth. 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.. E-mail nopdchief@nola.gov. Ferguson cited family and health reasons as he addressed the media a day after City Hall announced he will retire on Dec. 22. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY, HE SAID HIS FAMILY IS AGAIN AT THE HEART OF THIS DECISION. The storm brought out the best and worst in the NOPD. 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. In that role, she was tasked with overseeing the department's Management Services Bureau.Williams would make history as the first woman to ever become superintendent of the department. 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. Shaun Ferguson addressed the public just one day after he announced his retirement from the . THERES A LEVEL RESPECT THAT WAS GIVEN BACK TO THOSE OFFICERS THAT ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT WASNT THERE BEFORE. You just let the city know, no we will not let this unfortunate situation dictate who we are, Ferguson said at the time. 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 will still be your neighbor, and I will always be a part of the city that I love so much.. Ferguson's final walk and salute will be held outside of Gallier Hall on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 11 a.m.About Ferguson: Sources say Jonette Williams could be named the next NOPD superintendent. What began as a simple salary data search on officers in the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has led to a months-long undercover sting operation and has recently ended with cop suspensions, a . Hes just a really sincere person. We as commanding officers should be held to a higher standard, Ferguson said. First Emanuel's pastor, the Rev. ", "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.". Jonette Williams spent most of her career working in the Public Affairs Division and the Fourth District. A white rookie cop shot a man named Henry Glover who was trying to pick up goods pilfered from a strip mall. The New Orleans Superintendent of Police has resigned. Shaun Ferguson promises his four children will never receive special treatment. Hurricane Ida and civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd's murder in Minnesota added to a grim scenario for police, Ferguson noted, as he urged the public and media to "look at the glass half full.". Williams would make history as the first woman to ever become superintendent of the department. His neighborhood bona fides helped soothe tensions in the years following Katrina. We went out there every day with courage, determination.. 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. We dont have to go anywhere.. View spatial City data including the popular Property Viewer and Streetwise. BEEN THROUGH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, CIVIL UNREST, HURRICANES, TWO WEEKS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY AND NONE OF THAT STUFF. Including victim assistance, accident and incident reports, and how to file complaints or commendations. They made a very powerful team in the 2nd District, Scharf said. Ferguson also asked the community to continue to uplift the police officers of the city, praising the dedication of his officers on the force. Fergusons first assignment was in Algiers, the same neighborhood where he grew up. Despite speculation from some political insiders, Ferguson said he had never had a conversation with Cantrell about the chiefs job before last month. Ferguson said he paused and let out a deep breath before responding. So he has been the chief during the most troubling and trying times in the history of the city of New Orleans, Goyeneche said. 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. This is a crisis: New Orleans murder rate per capita pacing highest in U.S. Police say the suspected shooter is an unknown female. In a statement, Ferguson . We would go and take our showers there, he said. 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. The department is down to fewer than 950 commissioned officers from about 1,175 when he took office. 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. According to Ferguson, he has no plans after retirement and will remain in the city to see what God has to offer him. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM, EVEN AS THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS ON THE FORCE DWINDLED. See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Various boards, commissions and districts defined in both City and State law. Officers grievances included cronyism, favoritism, and being promoted based on who you know and not on ability or experience, she said of the results.