NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), which has faced longstanding issues of corruption, is seeking to conclude over a decade of federal oversight. This comes in the wake of past scandals, including the infamous 1994 murder orchestrated by a corrupt officer and a controversial cover-up regarding the 2005 deaths of unarmed civilians.
Critics of the department are anticipated to express their concerns regarding the proposed termination of federal oversight during a federal court hearing. They are likely to highlight issues such as racial disparities in police use of force, inadequate handling of sexual assault cases, and insufficient community engagement.
The effectiveness of federal oversight in transforming the NOPD is particularly significant, as several former high-ranking officers from the department are now overseeing police reform in Minneapolis following the George Floyd incident.
An investigation by the Department of Justice in 2011 revealed critical issues within the NOPD, including racial bias and a pervasive culture of impunity. In response, the City of New Orleans entered into a comprehensive federal oversight agreement known as a consent decree in 2013, aimed at reforming the police force.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick asserts that the department has successfully met its reform goals, stating, “We’ve built that system.” If the federal judge approves the city’s motion to conclude the consent decree, the NOPD would enter a two-year sustainment phase under continued federal oversight.
While many acknowledge the progress of the current NOPD, numerous community activists and watchdog organizations argue that the department is not yet prepared to end its federal oversight.
Stella Cziment, head of the Office of the Independent Police Monitor, highlighted that although the NOPD has improved its policies, it has primarily concentrated on meeting federal standards rather than fostering meaningful collaboration with community stakeholders.
“The danger of the consent decree is that we lose sight of who the true audience is supposed to be of these police reforms,” Cziment pointed out, emphasizing the need for NOPD to include and engage the community it serves.
In recent times, the NOPD and the City of New Orleans have encountered various challenges, including allegations of payroll fraud and a corruption case involving a high-ranking official, alongside a backlog of unresolved sexual assault cases.
Despite these ongoing issues, local anti-corruption advocate Rafael Goyeneche views the federal oversight as a “success story” considering the historical context of the NOPD.
“It’s unlikely that any large department will be free from rule violations, but that doesn’t mean the entire organization is corrupt or mismanaged,” Goyeneche stated.
Federal monitors advise that the consent decree should be considered a foundation for ongoing police reform in New Orleans.
Lead federal monitor Jonathan Aronie commended the NOPD for its advancements in policy, training, and data collection, which he believes enhance accountability and transparency within the department.
However, data from the NOPD indicates that nearly 90% of reported instances of police use of force involved Black individuals, raising severe concerns among the community, particularly in a city with a majority Black population.
In light of historical racial disparities highlighted in the DOJ’s earlier investigations, community activist Rachel Taber questioned the rationale behind ending protective measures for civil rights in New Orleans.
During a public meeting, federal monitor Aronie acknowledged the community’s concerns over racial bias, stating that federal efforts prioritize reforming the department’s policies amidst broader societal challenges.
“I aspire to live in a city where these statistics reflect equitable practices before the NOPD leaves federal oversight,” activist Zunyana Crier remarked.
Superintendent Kirkpatrick reassured that the NOPD takes issues of racial disparity seriously, continuously analyzing causes behind the data.
With the pandemic disrupting community engagement surveys, the latest data reflecting New Orleans residents’ experiences with the NOPD remains outdated, complicating efforts to gauge public perception.
Community advisory boards intended to facilitate resident feedback to the NOPD have also experienced setbacks, a situation acknowledged by NOPD officials, who committed to revitalizing the program.
Longtime activist W.C. Johnson voiced skepticism regarding the NOPD’s commitment to working transparently with residents, expressing that community engagement has often fallen short.
Concerns have also been raised regarding language accessibility for non-English speaking residents during the public comment period, reflecting the diverse demographics of New Orleans.
During a recent public meeting, internal tensions surfaced among the federal monitoring team, highlighting issues of ethics and accountability within the oversight process.
In a striking exchange, a member of the federal monitoring team questioned the integrity of another member overseeing police reforms in Minneapolis, signaling concerns regarding conflicts of interest connected to oversight practices.
Despite the controversies, there is recognition within the monitoring team of significant progress made by the NOPD, affirming that many of its evolving practices could serve as national benchmarks for police reform.
