NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Amid building pressure, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire from his position effective Dec. 22, according to city officials. Shaun Ferguson promises his four children will never receive special treatment. If Ferguson had been a regular patrolman, he would have been suspended for a couple of days. Federal prosecutors said it was all part of a larger cover-up. Under NOPD policy, however, no officer can drive with any amount of alcohol in their blood. He was one of our young leaders that we identified when I was superintendent and Im very proud of him, said Serpas. Ferguson also sits on the board of the Jugs Social Club, which organizes the historically black Krewe of NOMTOC's Carnival parade on the west bank. We must ensure that the next chief commits to upholding constitutional policing and transforming the department. Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department NOPD Interim Chief Michelle Woodfork To the men and women of the New Orleans Police Department, I love you," Ferguson said. So he has been the chief during the most troubling and trying times in the history of the city of New Orleans, Goyeneche said. He has held the position for the past six months. My parents were not comfortable with me being on the job.. He was a 13-year veteran of the NOPD. 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.Ferguson was chosen to lead the department after former Superintendent Michael Harrison announced he was leaving New Orleans to become the police commissioner in Baltimore. 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. 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. Cantrell's statement about Ferguson's retirement can be read below: "The City of New Orleans will soon bid farewell to a great leader, a great partner and a great friend. SO HAS THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO JOINED THE NOPD ALMOST 25 YEARS AGO. Ferguson was named 4th District officer of the year in 2000, 2002 and 2003, according to his resum. Hoping to beef up a dwindling police force amid a rise in . New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson talks to reporters outside the federal courthouse in New Orleans on Aug. 17, 2022. WDSU REPORTER MORGAN LENTES AT NOPD HEADQUARTERS WITH WHAT THE OUTGOING SUPERINTENDENT HAD TO SAY. "To the men and women of this city, I love you. 715 South Broad St The summer after graduating high school, he also worked as a deputy for the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office, guarding inmates at the jail. Published: Sep. 8, 2022 at 8:55 PM PDT. It appears the Mayor might appoint his replacement immediately, in order to avoid the January 1st City Charter change that gives the City Council approval powers. Ferguson announced his retirement Tuesday, Dec. 6 . 9 talking about this. Ferguson was very vocal in the past year regarding crime and how the Orleans Parish district attorney handled convictions. 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. The clientele back then was rougher, recalled Barnes, a friend of Ferguson's back then, and now an NOPD public information officer. As commander, Ferguson won plaudits for his open-door policy. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and returned to the homicide beat from 2011 to 2012. 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. Nummer 2 - 2018; Nummer 1 - 2018; 2017. Most notably, she received the Purple Heart Letter Award in 2017 after being struck by a drunk driver who plowed his vehicle into a crowd of 30 Endymion parade goers while she was on parade duty. None of the responding officers noticed signs of impairment, but as per NOPD policy, Ferguson took a blood alcohol test. You have permission to edit this article. MORGANS HEY TRAVERS. And there was one discrepancy in his resumas submitted for consideration for the chiefs job. During his year-long recovery, the cops on his squad Ferguson among them donated sick days, called constantly and organized fundraisers. During his tenure, he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Southern University of New Orleans and also received a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. Ferguson previously served as Commander of the NOPDs Second District from 2016-2018. SO SUPERINTENDENT SEAN FERGUSON ADMITTED HAS BEEN A REALLY EMOTIONAL WEEK AND THAT HES ACTUALLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT. 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. Sitting in his new corner office on the top floor of police headquarters, Ferguson smiled when he was asked about his favorite moments from that first tour of duty. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., where she has dedicated 28 years of service. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Amid building pressure, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire from his position effective Dec. 22, according to city officials. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern . 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. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams criticized inconsistencies in NOPDs data and the FBIs data for arrests and solve rates. 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 . Ferguson, who turned 50 this year, said he didn't change his mind. If one needed to go check on a house, we all went together, he said. According to Ferguson, his family had endured "a lot" during his tenure as chief and thanked them for their support. 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. 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. 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. That is who I am. Throughout her career, Superintendent Woodfork has completed several specialized trainings and received many awards and commendations. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. "To the men and women of this city, I love you. FILE - New Orleans Police Supt. Walker Marching Band for playing the National Anthem at Gallier Hall on St. Charles Ave. Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. 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. Shaun Ferguson announces retirement, La. Harrison served 4 years. 2 in rank at the department. I will still be your neighbor and I will always be a part of this city that I love so much. Please include the headline. 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. 2021. He was promoted to that job in March 2014, near the end of former superintendent Ronal Serpas tenure. 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.". He also navigated the department at a time when the police commission says there is a critical shortage of officers. 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. The DA and Ferguson eventually put their differences aside and formed a partnership where the two launched a Serial Crimes Prevention and Prosecution Initiative. Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City of New Orleans, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of this year. Before then, Serpas sat in the superintendent's seat for a little more than 4 years. When muckraking blogger Leigh Ferguson snoops down the wrong alley, she gets swept into X's bloody war with a politically powerful crime lord." Provided by publisher. 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. 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. Once again, the old 4th District task force crew leaned on each other. Other Glovers attended Central Citys First Emanuel Baptist Church with him. He was placed on murder cases in Algiers, and his neighborhood savvy helped. "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. I appreciated the Chiefs recent willingness to listen to the community and the Councils reform recommendations to help NOPD meet the demands of today. Should Ferguson continue to work as a police officer in some capacity, he could keep contributing to his state retirement package. Access open City data via download or API. Today, only one officer involved in the case is in prison the one who burned the car with Glovers body inside. According to Ferguson, his family had endured "a lot" during his tenure as chief and thanked them for their support. 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.