New Orleans Police Department

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Agency Overview
New Orleans Police Department

Patch of the New Orleans Police Department.
Formed	1796
Legal personality	Governmental agency
Jurisdictional Structure
Divisional agency	City of New Orleans in the State of Louisana , United States
Size	350.2 square miles
Population	223,388
General nature	Local civilian police See also Police

Operational Structure
Headquarters	New Orleans
Sworn members	1406
Facilities
Stations	8
Website
http://secure.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?Portal=50

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Please improve this article if you can. (March 2007)

The New Orleans Police Department or NOPD has primary responsibility for law enforcement in New Orleans, Louisiana. The department's jurisdiction covers all of Orleans Parish. The superintendent, as of November 2007 is Warren J. Riley. Riley was preceded by Eddie Compass and Richard Pennington. The city is divided into eight police districts.

1 Personnel shortage
2 Bureaus and Command Staff
3 Districts
4 History
5 Corruption
6 Demographics
7 Hurricane Katrina
8 New Orleans Police Badge
9 New Orleans Officer Down
10 See also
11 References
12 External links

[edit] Personnel shortage

As of July 2007, the New Orleans police department has 1,406 officers on the force. ^[1] Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the NOPD had 1,742 commissioned police officers. ^[2] The NOPD is actively recruiting to increase manpower in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which preceded an unusually high number of resignations.

[edit] Bureaus and Command Staff

Chief Warren Riley, September 2007

The NOPD is divided into six bureaus, all commanded by a Deputy Chief who answers to the Superintendent of Police:

Marlon Defillo, Assistant Superintendent, Bureau of Investigations
Kirk Bouyelas, Deputy Chief, Operations Bureau
James Scott, Deputy Chief, Criminal Intelligence Bureau
Lawrence Weathersby, Sr., Deputy Chief, Administration and Support Bureau
Raymond Burkart, Deputy Chief, Policy Review and Research Bureau
Bruce Adams, Deputy Chief, Public Integrity Bureau

In the absence of Superintendent Riley, Assistant Superintendent Marlon Defillo will command the Department.

[edit] Districts

The NOPD is divided into eight police districts, each of which is commanded by a District Commander at the rank of Major (previously Captain):

1st District- Major Robert Norton(Treme, Mid-City)
2nd District- Major Mike Glasser (Uptown, Audubon)
3rd District- Major Greg Elder (Gentilly, Lakeview, Westend)
4th District- Major David Kirsh (Algiers, English Turn)
5th District- Major Bernadine Kelly (9th Ward, Bywater)
6th District- Major Robert Bardy (Irish Channel, Central City, Garden Dist)
7th District- Major Rannie Mushat (New Orleans East)
8th District- Major Edwin Hosli (French Quarter, Central Business Dist. (CBD), Warehouse District)

Within each district, there are several units, including Uniform Patrol, District Investigative Unit-Property Crimes, District Investigative Unit- Person Crimes, Task Force, General Assignments Unit, Quality of Life Unit, Crime Prevention Unit and School Resource Officers

[edit] History

[edit] Colonial Period

When New Orleans was founded in 1718, the policing of the city was in the hands of the military, alternating French, Spanish and again French governmental rule. The first mention of the formation of the New Orleans Police Department was in 1796, during the administration of the Spanish Colonial Governor, the Baron de Carondelet when, as it was stated, "Crime had reached such proportions by the mid 1790's that a full-time city police force was required."^[3] On November 8, 1803, Mayor Etienne De Bore held the first Council Session, and appointed a committee to inspect prisons, formulate rules and police regulations. Pierre Achille Rivery was appointed as Commissioner General of Police, and placed in command of twenty-five men. After numerous complaints, these men were dismissed, and the council authorized the hiring of mulattoes but only under the command of white officers.

[edit] Pre-Civil War

New Orleans became a part of the United States by the Louisiana Purchase on December 20, 1803.

In 1804 a patrol militia was organized under James Pitot, the then Mayor of New Orleans. The Guard Deville (City Watch) followed in 1806 but was abolished in 1808. Militia patrols were again established. By 1817, with the growth of the city, the number of constables increased to 46 and for the first time, the city was divided into police districts - French Quarter, Faubourg’s Treme, St. Mary and Marigny. A Guard House was placed in each district.

In the 1820s and 1830s, denouncements were made of the police force and the crime situation had become so desperate that each district formed "vigilance committees" to help increase the efficiency of the police. Because of government mismanagement, in 1836 the city was divided into three municipalities with separate powers. The First was bordered by Canal Street and Esplanade Avenue. The Second began at Canal Street and went upriver to the parish line. The Third was down river from Esplanade Avenue. Under the charter, there were three separate police departments.

In 1852 a new mayor completely reorganized the police system and consolidated the three municipalities. John Youenes, the newly named Chief of Police, had a force of twelve officers and 345 policemen. The salary of the Chief at this time was $2,000 annually. In 1855 when the Council again reorganized the management power, there was the first mention of the "Crescent" badge. It was stated the city could not meet the expense of uniforms but the officers continued to wear the crescent badge^[4]. When the Municipal Elections in 1856 were once again marred by fraud and violence, the Mayor ordered the police to walk their beats unarmed, and most resigned. Again a reorganization of the police force was called for in 1858 and the new Mayor proposed to upgrade the police department by raising their pay and removing them from politics. Although the reorganization was defeated, better policemen were selected and the discipline was stricter. Also, a telegraph system connecting police stations was introduced and a rogue’s gallery was established.

[edit] Civil War & Reconstruction

The coming of the American Civil War interrupted progress that the police force had begun to make. In 1862, New Orleans was captured and General B. F. Butler suspended civil government and established martial law with military police and a provost marshal. Also in 1862, the Mayor was replaced by Colonel George F. Shepley and he named Captain Jonas H. French the Chief of Police. Major Joseph M. Bell was named to head the military courts which tried all violations of city and federal laws. In 1865, Dr. Hu Kennedy was appointed Mayor of New Orleans and he appointed M. Kavanagh as Chief of Police. Kavanagh was later replaced with Lieutenant John Burke who had been the Chief of the Military Police. In May of 1866, President Andrew Johnson put Mayor John T. Monroe back in office, and again the police department was reorganized. An ordinance was drafted, specifying the number of police to be appointed, pay schedules, duties, and uniform. The uniform is specified as a double breasted blue cloth frock coat and matching pants with variations for each rank. Also stated was, "The Chief and aids, when deemed necessary, shall wear on the left breast and outside of the coat, a metal badge in the shape of a crescent and star".

In July 1866, white citizens and New Orleans Police led by the Mayor rioted against black citizens. Thirty-four black citizens and three white republicans were killed, and 146 were wounded.

The Reconstruction Act of 1867 grouped Louisiana with Texas into the Fifth Military District under the U. S. Army. This Act suspended municipal elections in New Orleans, removed Monroe from office and fired the Police Chief. Military control came to an end in September, 1868, then the legislature under Governor Henry Clay Warmoth created the "Metropolitan Police Force" by combining Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard Parishes. This tri-parish law enforcement agency lasted until the end of Reconstruction in 1877. ^[5]

In September 1874 white citizens rioted against black citizens in New Orleans, in the so called battle of "Liberty Place". The Metropolitans were made up of Black and White Officers. Casualties-Rioters:6 killed/17 injured/wounded. ^[6] Metropolitans: 7 killed/36 wounded.^[7]. Another report of the riot gives different casualty figures^[8].

At this time a few interested citizens volunteered to do police duty, and were known as the "Ribbon Force." Then under Act 35, the Crescent City Police were organized and Thomas N. Boylan was named Chief of Police. Boylan retired in 1882, and veteran Police Captain Richard B. Rowley was his replacement. In 1884, a new Mayor appointed Theodore J. Boasso as Chief of Police.

[edit] Late 1800s

Scandal and corruption continued and in the municipal elections of 1888, Joseph A. Shakspeare was again elected Mayor. This administration introduced a bill known as Act #63 which called for the election of six commissioners to reorganize and act as administrators of the Police Department. Finally, after much opposition, the Supreme Court ordered the bill to be put into effect. At this time the Police Chief, David C. Hennessy, who had been previously appointed by Mayor Shakspeare, was unanimously chosen the Superintendent of Police on March 13, 1889. Superintendent Hennessy was a brave and zealous officer and under his command the improvement was rapid and marked. Due to his devotion to duty and his fight against crime in the city, he brought upon himself the enmity of the lawless and on October 15, 1889 about 11:30 P.M. after a meeting of the Police Board, as he neared his home on Basin Street, he was assassinated. Captain John Journee was placed in temporary command of the Department by the Board of Commissioners. As a tribute to the memory of the murdered chief, a monument 26 feet high (8m) and 7¹/₂ feet square (5.3 m²) erected and unveiled on May 29, 1892 and can be seen in Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery. Although there were many applicants, on January 21, 1891, the Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Dexter S. Gaster to the position of Superintendent of Police. The police force numbered 325 at this time. The story is that during an inspection of the hundreds of officers, Superintendent Gaster was needed and when he was found, his badge was re-pinned upside down with the statement, "Now you will stand out." Gaster adopted the upside-down badge and this became the tradition for each following superintendent.

[edit] Early 1900s

Between July 24-July 28, 1900 a violent suspect resisted arrest and killed four Police Officers and wounded one. See [1].
The year 1904 witnessed a reorganization of the Department in line with Act 32 of the Legislature. On July 27, 1904, the Mayor was placed in authority of the force with the power to appoint two Commissioners and an Inspector of Police. This act abolished the title of Superintendent. Superintendent Journee was elected as the new Inspector of Police and served until June 2, 1905 when E. S. Whitaker was elected. Inspector Whitaker held this position until January 2, 1908 when William J. O’Connor was elected and he served until his death on November 29, 1910. He was succeeded by Senior Captain John P. Boyle who acted as Inspector of Police until February 10, 1911. The board met on this same date and elected James W. Reynolds as Inspector of Police. Reynolds joined the police department in 1893 as a supernumerary clerk and through perseverance, fair dealing and uncompromising honesty, he had become the chief of detectives.

Mechanization began under Inspector Reynolds. One motor patrol wagon and four motorcycles were the first units. The other units consisted of seven horse drawn patrol wagons, one run about, two buggies and fifty-five horses. On January 1, 1912 there were 399 paid members of the police department and by the end of 1915, there were 520 policemen, 126 of which were listed as supernumeraries. One of Inspector Reynolds accomplishments was to organize a vice squad specially charged to stamp out street solicitations. Reynolds was at the height of his career when on August 2, 1917 he was killed by a suspended officer. Senior Captain John P. Boyle took over the reins of the Department until Frank T. Mooney was selected. Mooney further motorized the force and started a system of records. In December, 1920 Guy Molony was appointed Superintendent of Police, fresh from the service as an Army Colonel and recognized as a professional soldier. At the time he took office, there were only five precinct captains, with the other seven being commanded by a sergeant. He succeeded in having each station placed under the command of a captain. By 1922 the Department was operating 33 automobiles and 21 motorcycles and was beginning to concern itself with a new-born problem-vehicular traffic in the commercial district. It was also in 1922 that the nucleus of the present Juvenile Bureau was formed with the employment of a policewoman and a protective officer. The same year the Department was nationally recognized as the only one in the nation thoroughly equipped for first aid in all of its bureaus and precincts. Also, tear gas was introduced as a new weapon which had been successfully tested in the first World War. A retiring Grand Jury of 1925 described Colonel Molony’s administration as one of the best in the history of the New Orleans Police Department. Thomas Healy replaced Colonel Molony as Superintendent in 1925. His "100 miles per hour police service" came into being on August 18, 1926 with the acquisition of five armored motorcycles, capable of developing speeds of 100 miles per hour.

On January 1, 1929, Captain Theodore Ray succeeded Superintendent Healy. Into his lap fell the series of bombings, dynamiting, fights, shootings and assaults, all associated with a serious street car strike. In addition to this situation, the force was pressed to continue its crusade against slot machines, vice and other forms of gambling. Colonel Hu B. Myers became the head of the Police Department when Superintendent Ray resigned on May 5, 1930. Night Supervisor George Reyer was elevated to a new post created by the Police Board as Chief of Police on April 1, 1931. Police Headquarters was moved from Tulane and Saratoga Streets to the new Criminal Courts Building located at Tulane Avenue and South Broad Streets. New procedures were set up including a program of physical training in a well equipped gymnasium. On October 7, 1931 a new police show-up room began operation. George Reyer became acting Superintendent when Colonel Myers resigned November 11, 1931. The Chief’s job was abolished.

Superintendent Reyer had an eye towards modernization and plans were made for a radio station and an up-to-date communications center. Radio Station WPEK began broadcasting information to cruising vehicles on May 14, 1932. There were no two-way sets, however, the system proved effective in that it eliminated minutes in having a unit proceed to the scene of a serious offense.

[edit] Mid 1900s

During 1946 the Police Board was abolished and its functions transferred to the Mayor. An Advisory Board of three members was formed. Colonel Watters was able to raise the unreasonably low police salaries and also grant police one rest day each week in addition to 15 days annual furlough. (The furlough was later raised to 21 days a year.) In the summer of 1947 the Police Emergency Unit was organized. Superintendent Scheuering relocated the Juvenile-Bicycle Division from Headquarters to 2552 St. Philip Street. The "Our Beat" was the name given to the very first publication of the New Orleans Police Department. The first issue, Vol. 1; No.1 was issued on October 20, 1949. The Police Bureau of Investigation was formed on August 4, 1954 and three special investigators were appointed for the purpose of handling all cases involving allegations against police personnel.

On August 15, 1960, Chief Giarrusso, instituted a cadet program and opened ways for in-service officers to further their education and secure a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology at Loyola University. A National Crime Information Center (NCIC) was established to connect the City of New Orleans with 46 other state agencies throughout the United States. In 1964, the Department received a new look, new and old police cars were painted a soft blue and white and an ordinance provided distinctive flashing blue lights. This made it easy for the public to recognize police vehicles as opposed to other types of emergency services. Giarrusso recognized the need for better communication between the police and the public and on September 15, 1966, the Community Relations Division was formed. In June of 1968, when the Police Administration Building was completed, Headquarters moved from the Criminal Courts Building where they had been housed jointly with Criminal Courts since 1931.

[edit] Late 1900s

In February, 1971 the Urban Squad was implemented to concentrate in densely populated low income housing areas which had a marked impact on criminal activity. In September, 1972 the Felony Action Squad was formed for the specific purpose of armed robbery prevention in the areas of actual and/or predicted high criminal activity. Also at this time the Alcohol Safety Action Division was formed in an effort to reduce alcohol related auto accidents.

One of the greatest tragedies ever to befall the NOPD was when on December 31, 1972 the first of a series of snipings and gun battles began between a lone gunman identified as Mark J. Essex and members of the Department. Essex was finally traced to the Downtown Howard Johnson on Sunday, January 7, 1973 where senseless murders were committed. At 8:50 P.M. when a military helicopter occupied by police riflemen was on its third flight over the roof, Essex ran from the cubicle firing at the helicopter and was shot. However, reports from several observation points was to the effect a second subject had also been seen so extreme caution was still exercised. Finally, about 2:00 P.M. on Monday, January 8, police officers entered the roof area from all sides and no other person was found. Also, a systematic search of the entire area of the motel proved negative. The personal loss to the Department of Police was the death of Deputy Superintendent Louis J. Sirgo, Patrolmen Paul Persigo, Philip Coleman, K-9 Officer Edwin Hosli and Cadet Alfred Harrell. Numerous other officers and civilians were wounded. On March 25, 1975 a ceremony was held to dedicate two monuments: One to name the Headquarters Plaza in memory of Deputy Superintendent Louis J. Sirgo and the second, containing the names of all police members killed in the line of duty since Superintendent David Hennessy in 1890.

On June 12, 1978, James C. Parson, a native and former police chief of Birmingham, Ala. was sworn in as Superintendent. He was selected from over 110 applicants. He soon announced a new look by changing the color of police vehicles to a darker shade of blue under a white top and accented by red and blue flashing lights, luminous decals and high intensity alley lights. New protections screens were added to improve visibility and to provide maximum safety for officers and prisoners. His command started being besieged with problems starting in 1979 with dissension over the city’s offered pay plan for diminishing many benefits, including slashing both annual and sick leave. After a walk-out and with Mardi Gras being cancelled in Orleans Parish during a sixteen day strike, benefits were then restored with the new stipulation only for new hires. During this police strike, law enforcement in the city was handled by the Louisiana State Police, which had been mobilized in response to the crisis.

In January of 1981, Mayor Morial announced a new "hot line" program, entitled "Taxis on Patrol." The city’s 1200 radio dispatched taxicabs would now alert police to crimes and suspicious situations. The program of appointing civilian personnel to specialized jobs was expanded thus allowing additional police officers to be assigned to line functions. A program entitled "Teleserv" was initiated in which citizen volunteers assisted in handling minor complaints over the telephone, also freeing more field officers.

The Central Lockup and the House of Detention were transferred to the Criminal Sheriff in December, 1982 thus saving the city one million dollars. Also in December, the Eighth District was merged into the Third Police District and both the Urban and Felony Action Squads were disbanded. In August of 1983, the only NOPD substation was opened on Peltier Street in eastern New Orleans to assist the residents from southeast Asia. As the Year 1984 began, significant improvements were noted in training, narcotics enforcement and crime prevention. On May 12, 1984, the Louisiana World Exposition opened amid extravaganza ceremonies. This beautifully planned and executed Fair, exuding Mardi Gras charm, could only be located and enjoyed in New Orleans, the "City That Care Forgot."

Chief Pennington ended his tenure with the department in May of 2002, after fulfilling his contract. Pennington ran for Mayor of New Orleans and lost to current Mayor C. Ray Nagin in the election of 2002. After losing the election, Pennington became the Police Chief of the Atlanta Police Department

[edit] Corruption

Lenn Davis

[edit] Demographics

Breakdown of the makeup of the rank and file of NOPD ^[9]:

Male: 85%
Female: 15%
African-American/Black: 51%
White: 46%
Hispanic: 2%
Asian: 1%

[edit] Hurricane Katrina

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, looting, violence, and other criminal activity became serious problems. With most of the attention of the authorities focused on rescue efforts, the security in New Orleans degraded quickly. By August 30, looting had spread throughout the city, often in broad daylight and in the presence of police officers. "The looting is out of control. The French Quarter has been attacked," City Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson said.^{[citation needed]}

Incapacitated by the breakdown of transportation and communication, as well as overwhelmed in terms of numbers, police officers could do little to stop crime, and shopkeepers who remained behind were left to defend their property alone. Looters included gangs of armed gunmen, and gunfire was heard in parts of the city. Along with violent, armed robbery of non-essential valuable goods, many incidents were of residents simply gathering food, water and other essential commodities from unstaffed grocery stores. There were also reports of looting by some police officers.

One report of violence involved police allegedly becoming involved in a shoot-out with six citizens on the Danziger Bridge, which carries the Chef Menteur Highway across the Industrial Canal. These citizens were reportedly attacking contractors of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers involved in the 17th Street Canal repair. Other reports alleged people seeking refuge on the bridge from the flood were fired on without provocation^[10]. Subsequently, 7 NOPD officers were indicted on murder charges in connection with the incident known as the "Danzinger 7". The case is still pending, but the prosecutor, Eddie Jordan, who brought the charges has recently (10/30/07) resigned his position following charges of corruption and a judgment against him in a racial discrimination lawsuit. The future of the case involving the murder charges is now uncertain.

Over 200 ^[11] Police Officers were said to have deserted the city during the storm. These officers were given the opportunity to explain their actions before the deputy chief's in a tribunal like hearing. 85% of the officers that supposedly deserted were terminated. Officers that stayed during Katrina were awarded with a Hurricane Katrina lapel pin to be worn on the uniform. It is shaped like the star and cresent badge, with a hurricane emblem in the center of the star.

[edit] New Orleans Police Badge

New Orleans Police Badge

The Star and Crescent Badge, unique to NOPD, has been worn by members of the NOPD since 1855. The crescent represents the shape of the city, as the Mississippi River forms a crescent shape around the city. This is where the nickname "Crescent City" comes from. Patrolmen wear silver badges, Detectives and up wear gold badges. The higher your rank within the department, the lower your badge number is. Historically, the chief of police wore his badge "upside down" or inverted when compared to the badges worn by the rest of the police force. The chief's badge has a star on top with the crescent shape underneath, while all the other officers wear a badge with the crescent on top and the star on bottom. All Chief's of Police wore the badge inverted "upside down" until former Police Chief Warren Woodfork changed the tradition in 1985. Woodforks' replacement, Chief Arnesta Taylor, reinstituted the tradition in 1992. Taylor's replacement, Chief Joseph Orticke, continued the tradition until he was replaced by Richard Pennington. Pennington wore the badge "right side up", same as other members of the department. In 2002, Chief Eddie Compass returned to tradition and wore the badge as it had historically been worn. When Chief Warren Riley took over in November 2005, he continued the tradition of wearing the chief's badge upside down.

The star was the icon of the former city of Carrollton, which incorporated into the city of New Orleans.