Harrison served 4 years. Son of new NOPD chief arrested after domestic dispute, Laura McKnight, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Council President Helena Moreno says her office recently conducted a survey that showed 85% of NOPD officers are dissatisfied with the departments management. Shaun Ferguson tells WGNO that she had been a nine-year veteran of the NOPD and called the event horrible news. 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. He has held the position for the past six months. 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. Once again, the old 4th District task force crew leaned on each other. Ferguson served with the department for 23 years, with three of those years in the top position of the department. Wed be foolish not to at least look and see what we got.. MORGANS HEY TRAVERS. They stayed connected while Ferguson moved between posts. "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. Warren Riley served five years as chief, and Eddie Compass served three. Whatever the city asks of me, he told her. 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. After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City of New Orleans, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of this year. 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. Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will take his final walk Thursday as acting police chief for the NOPD. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Deputy superintendent eyed to become NOPD's first female superintendent. He gave this city his very best - the safety and . 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 . Thomassie eventually pleaded guilty to forcible rape and sexual molestation of a juvenile under age 13. City Council member Freddie King was among the majority on the council calling for Cantrell to follow the voter-approved confirmation process. That is who I am. "City Council President Helena Moreno released the following statement: 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. Its time to sit back, look at what I have done, Ferguson said. 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. Sources tell FOX 8 recently promoted Deputy Superintendent Jonette Williams is the frontrunner to be tapped by Cantrell to replace Ferguson. Carjackings are up 103% and armed robberies are up 29%.. 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. Today, only one officer involved in the case is in prison the one who burned the car with Glovers body inside. Williams would make history as the first woman to ever become superintendent of the department. According to Ferguson, his family had endured "a lot" during his tenure as chief and thanked them for their support. After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City of New Orleans, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of this year. First Emanuel's pastor, the Rev. His other jobs shortly after high school included a salesman at Maison Blanche and a mail clerk assistant at Conoco Oil Co. in Algiers. Before this, he commanded NOPDs Fourth District from 2014 to 2016. The DA and Ferguson eventually put their differences aside and formed a partnership where the two launched a Serial Crimes Prevention and Prosecution Initiative.Ferguson is a New Orleans native and a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School in 1990.Ferguson joined the NOPD in December 1998. 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. Moving forward, there should be a national search for a new police chief to find the best candidate to lead the NOPD. They had an open-door policy, very community focused, excellent community policing skills.". 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. 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. "Its time to enjoy my life No more phone calls in the middle of the night. "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. With the department now in his hands, Ferguson suggested he would like to hold onto proven strategies while making tweaks where needed. WE HAVE TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER. 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. 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. Superintendent Woodfork is a 32-year veteran of the department, joining the NOPD on Jan. 27, 1991. Former NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas says Ferguson had to play a game with very little support.. 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. Another car crashed into his NOPD cruiser. He was promoted to that job in March 2014, near the end of former superintendent Ronal Serpas tenure. 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. Ive been shot, another cop yelled to the dispatchers. (Photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune). 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. 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. 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. 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. NOTE: This story was updated Wednesday morning with additional information from court records. Thats one reason Cantrell should open up the search for Ferguson's replacement, he said. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan earlier this year pumped the brakes on plans to move the NOPD into a two-year offramp from federal oversight. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY, HE SAID HIS FAMILY IS AGAIN AT THE HEART OF THIS DECISION. 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. It is vital that the community continue its support for this department, the statement continues. During his tenure, he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Southern University of New Orleans, where he also received a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. (Photo by Brett Duke, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate). Emergency Calls: 911. Hours after he was sworn in, a woman accused his son Shane of punching her in the face, according to police. I have not stopped talking to Chief Harrison since he left. He urged the council and other city leaders to work together and to stop political showmanship and "show up to the table" with open communication and ideas. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making this city safe for its residents and visitors. He commanded the 4th District, the 2nd District and the training academy over the last six years. Ferguson, 46, who had been seen as a rising star in NOPD by some observers, has served as a district commander at NOPD since 2014. THERES A LEVEL RESPECT THAT WAS GIVEN BACK TO THOSE OFFICERS THAT ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT WASNT THERE BEFORE. WDSU REPORTER MORGAN LENTES AT NOPD HEADQUARTERS WITH WHAT THE OUTGOING SUPERINTENDENT HAD TO SAY. Williams would make history by becoming the first female Superintendent in NOPD history. 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. He recalls her opening the conversation simply: Are you ready to be my chief?. Ferguson, a native of New Orleans, is a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School in 1990 and joined the NOPD in December 1998. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making this city safe for its residents and visitors. She served 12 years as a Detective and later as a Sergeant in the departments Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit. Who is Shaun Ferguson, NOPDs next police chief? Shaun Ferguson will retire effective 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 22, and we say Mayor Cantrell should announce his replacement . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We as commanding officers should be held to a higher standard, Ferguson said. What I can take credit for is taking individuals and bringing the best out of individuals and making them a team, he said. Published: 2:34 PM CST December 6, 2022. Leave an email address and we'll do our best to respond! NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of the month, according to a press release from the mayor's office on Tuesday. Ferguson announced his retirement from the NOPD a few weeks ago. You just let the city know, no we will not let this unfortunate situation dictate who we are, Ferguson said at the time. Throughout her career, Superintendent Woodfork has completed several specialized trainings and received many awards and commendations. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson was hand-picked by Mayor LaToya Cantrell and had previously served as head of the training academy and commander of the second and fourth police districts in New . In December 2022, Mayor Latoya Cantrell appointed Woodfork as Interim Superintendent of the New Orlean Police Department. According to Ferguson, he said Cantrell asked him to reconsider, but he told her that it was time to "go home." NOLA 311is New Orleans primary source of local government information and non-emergency services. Ferguson said he does not remember sending the messages, but that they were not out of character. His application remained on file, however. Cantrell led the Broadmoor Improvement Association at the time. City Council Vice President J.P. Morrell called for Fergusons resignation last week as the council worked to approve the citys $1.5 billion budget, of which, $25 million would go towards a police recruitment and retention incentive package. 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. "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 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. New Orleans Police Department SO SUPERINTENDENT SEAN FERGUSON ADMITTED HAS BEEN A REALLY EMOTIONAL WEEK AND THAT HES ACTUALLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT. 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 . 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.