"Everything I have been through, this department has been through, has been by his (God's) order and I will continue to follow that." "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. Ferguson shadowed Harrison during his last week in office, and their conversations have continued since then, he said. NOPD Supt. I JOINED THIS DEPARTMENT IN 1998 IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY. 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. "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. Its time to sit back, look at what I have done, Ferguson said. I did not ever imagine myself on the other side of the desk as the commanding officer, he said. 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. He stresses the virtues of a smooth transition. (504) 658-4000 Barnes was hit, and blood poured out of him as his fellow officers tried to help. He was left with gunshot wounds to his right lung and left leg. 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. He was one of our young leaders that we identified when I was superintendent and Im very proud of him, said Serpas. HE WAS APPOINTED THE CITYS TOP COP IN EARLY 2019 WITH NO CLUE THE CHALLENGES TO COME. Ferguson said his decision to retire was an emotional one. Williams would make history by becoming the first female Superintendent in NOPD history. 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. On Monday morning, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson and Deputy Chief Superintendent John Thomas met for a press conference to discuss the incredibly violent weekend in the city. I will still be your neighbor, and I will always be a part of the city that I love so much.. WE HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE. Shaun Ferguson will retire effective 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 22, and we say Mayor Cantrell should announce his replacement . Deputy superintendent eyed to become NOPD's first female superintendent. Join me live on @FOX8NOLA at 5PM and 9PM for analysis. Cantrell revealed Ferguson as her permanent choice on Jan. 14, breaking with the tradition of forming a search committee or appointing an interim chief who would be given time to meet the community before getting the job permanently. Unrated. Ferguson announced his retirement Tuesday, Dec. 6 . Another car crashed into his NOPD cruiser. Several council members expressed concern that Cantrell will skirt that new vetting process by quickly naming a new superintendent. The summer after graduating high school, he also worked as a deputy for the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office, guarding inmates at the jail. During their many interactions, Cantrell has said that he left her with the impression that he was fair, firm and friendly.. 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. 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. SOME HAVE SAID IS THE ISSUE WITHIN THE NOPD. You cant ignore he just kept getting one left hook after another.. 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. 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. HE SAYS DESPITE RECENT CRITICISM AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, HE CHOSE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Chief Shaun Ferguson officially announced his retirement. BUT IT STARTS, AS I SAID LAST WEEK WITH COMMUNICATION. 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. Overall, Ferguson's work history, coupled with interviews with fellow cops, community members and other public officials, shows an officer equally comfortable charging through doors as shaking hands. It means the world not just to me personally or him but to the troops in this uniform as well as to our community to know that were still in the right direction, were still going forward.. Woodfork is a graduate of St. Marys Academy High School. Hes just a really sincere person. MORGANS HEY TRAVERS. His tibia had to be rebuilt with a bone graft before he could walk again. We went out there every day with courage, determination.. Thank you New Orleans! THIS IS MY DECISION. Ferguson's career includes numerous periods in the NOPD Second District, which spans from Napoleon Avenue upriver through the Audubon, university, Carrollton, [] You have permission to edit this article. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making this city safe for its residents and visitors. (Photo by Brett Duke, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate). 2018. NOLA 311is New Orleans primary source of local government information and non-emergency services. 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. Some officers saved lives while others took them or deserted their city. or dial 311 or (504) 539-3266. MY FAMILY HAS ENDURED A LOT. The team quickly won recognition for their hands-on approach. 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. 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.. Whether you are a local resident, visitor, or business, NOLA-311 will provide a prompt, courteous and professional customer service experience. According to Ferguson, his family had endured "a lot" during his tenure as chief and thanked them for their support. Commanders, 16 of which the NOPD superintendent appoints at will, fall administratively just behind the three assistant superintendents and the superintendent. "Since joining the NOPD in 1998, Chief Ferguson has served with honor, distinction and integrity. In a statement, Ferguson . After a long, painful recovery, Barnes survived. Since then, she has been assigned to five of the NOPDs eight districts at the rank of Patrol Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. I will still be your neighbor and I will always be a part of this city that I love so much. Another cop drove a car with Glovers body inside it to the levee and set it on fire. 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WDSU-TV. Growing library of dashboards tracking City dat and initiatives. This time Ferguson and his parents saw a different police force. His community-focused approach has helped mend the relationships between our officers and our residents. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporters Heather Nolan and Carlie Kollath Wells contributed to this story. Mayor Cantrell has been steadfast in her support of Ferguson. Ferguson said he broached his planned exit with Cantrell before Thanksgiving. It was during this period, on March 28, 2001, that Barnes was shot in the Fischer complex. The appointment would be a historic move. 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 dont have to go anywhere.. Earlier this week, Supt. Still, for the remainder of the month the mayor has the authority to pick her own police chief without running the choice by the council. He also says he believes the next Superintendent of the NOPD should come from inside the NOPD. Ferguson saw the department through COVID-19 and two years of the highest violent crime rates since Hurricane Katrina. 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.. 715 South Broad St 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. New Orleans, LA 70119, Hours of Operation We have also seen more illegal guns being taken off our streets, with nearly 2,500 illegal guns seized just this year. Civic leaders push for national search for new NOPD chief, Shaun Ferguson says the decision to retire was his alone, BY JOHN SIMERMAN AND MATT SLEDGE | Staff writers, Mayor LaToya Cantrell gives State of the City address: 'Tired of fightingready to build'. After 24 years of dedicated public service to the City of New Orleans, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of this year. We need a new Chief, period. "We all loved Everett and we owe it to his memory to do what we can to make sure his. They made a very powerful team in the 2nd District, Scharf said. Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission says Ferguson was a dedicated officer and police chief. "Chief Ferguson has been dealing with an issue that no police chief has had to deal with in 100 years," Goyeneche said. Nummer 6 - 2017; Nummer 5 - 2017; Nummer 4 - 2017; Nummer 3 - 2017; Nummer 2 - 2017 He opened it up to fellow officers. Shaun Ferguson says the average response time currently sits at 11 minutes, but with the help of civilians, the department can reduce that time. The George Floyd social justice movement, Goyeneche said. Shaun Ferguson, a 24-year veteran of the department announced that he would be stepping down from his post and into retirement to spend more time with his family, effective Thursday, Dec. 22. Its called accountability, he said. The right process will find the best people. Emily Lane, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, named the citys new police superintendent, Who is Jonette Williams? Leave an email address and we'll do our best to respond! Lundy described Fergusons management style as valuing the employees under his charge, and that makes people work so much harder, he 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. FILE - New Orleans Police Supt. Ferguson, along with NOPD 4th District Commander Ceasar Ruffin, appeared alongside Cantrell in August to speak at a peace rally in Eleanor McMain Secondarys gym, to honor slain 15-year-old Chance Smith, a freshman at the school, who was fatally shot by another teen in Algiers on Aug. 18. Fergusons Algiers home emerged unscathed, aside from losing power. Moving forward, there should be a national search for a new police chief to find the best candidate to lead the NOPD. You have permission to edit this article. June 14, 2022; indigo child symbol 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. Yet, you faced all of these seemingly insurmountable hurdles with dignity, grace and determination. Dec 7, 2022 - 11:45 am. According to Ferguson, his family had endured "a lot" during his tenure as chief and thanked them for their support. Hem; Artiklar; Nummer. 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. Ferguson cited family and health reasons as he addressed the media a day after City Hall announced he will retire on Dec. 22.