Interim NOPD chief discusses policing concerns with citizens

22nd September 2014   ·   0 Comments

By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer

Law enforcement and community leaders along top cash advance in NE with New Orleans residents from across the city recently discussed local crime and policing issues during a community discussion facilitated by Justice and Beyond at Christian Unity Baptist Church.

Interim NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison, Deputy Superintendent Bob Bardy and Independent Police Monitor Susan Hutson sat on the panel, which was moderated by the Rev. Dwight Webster. Judith Dangerfield, representing the law firm Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, which oversees the office of the consent decree monitor and makes the consent decree available to the public for viewing, sat on the panel as well for listening purposes.

Harrison fielded the majority of the questions.

NOPD Recruitment

Harrison said that NOPD is in “heavy recruitment mode.” The department recently visited 22 local churches, is working with local universities and is also exploring options of working with prospects who have an interest in law enforcement as early as high school.

Harrison said that the requirements for recruits to have 60 hours of college credit or four years of military service remain in place, and are standards that he what do i need to apply for a personal loan supports. However, he said that the department is working with local colleges to establish educational programs for recruits to ensure that their basic skills are compliant with what’s necessary for police reporting and work.

New Orleans East resident Alicia Plummer stated that she knew of several applicants with credible backgrounds and experience whose applications were denied. Harrison encouraged individuals in those situations to reapply and said that he would review past applications.

“We’re hiring. We’re trying to get to 1,600 [officers],” Harrison said.

Investigating & Solving Violent Crimes

Harrison stated that the NOPD is constantly assessing its violent crime cases. He said that murder is not unique to New Orleans, but that the department faces challenges in this regard because it’s still trying to rebuild its manpower. He said that detectives are solving cases and that there’s ongoing oversight with regard to the accuracy of their work.

Another challenge, however, is that the detectives oftentimes have to deal with uncooperative witnesses. Harrison said that NOPD has no money in its budget installment loans north charleston sc for victim or witness protection.

Stop & Frisk Concerns

One meeting attendee said he had been stopped and frisked invasively by an NOPD officer while walking down the street. He questioned the legality of such practices and expressed the frustration of him being searched while he has seen officers drive past known drug dealers on street corners.

Harrison said that the NOPD’s policy is to stop individuals when the officer has suspicions and in accordance with law. He said officers undergo a lot of training in this area and have been taught to act only when they observe a violation.

“We’re counting on officers to do that. When they operate outside of that, they’ll be disciplined,” he said noting that certain laws allow officers to conduct searches. He warned, however, that intrusive searches are illegal an encouraged citizens to report such concerns or instances to NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau. Hutson agreed, noting that her office cannot address police monitoring issue without information.

Selection Criteria for Officers

Harrison stated that officers undergo extensive background metlife loan checks, which include physical and psychological examinations. The full process takes 80 to 90 days, and for every 100 applicants, two are hired. He said NOPD is looking to adjust this.

On the matter of gun control, Harrison stated that the NOPD works with federal agencies; certain officers have specialize training to identify when a gun is on someone’s person, but noted that the issue of stricter gun laws is also a constitutional rights matter.

On a similar note, he stated that the NOPD works closely with federal agencies on drug enforcement matters. Other topics discussed included matters regarding homeless individuals and their personal property, the parking of unmarked police cars on Canal Street, escort patrol vehicles from regional law enforcement officers and other related matters.

Hutson briefly addressed two points in the Office of the Consent Decree Monitor’s August 2014 Quarterly Report She noted that NOPD has established an internal compliance bureau to ensure that the department is adhering to the consent decree. She also pointed out that in-car cameras are not working properly, and emphasized that video is an “independent witness” that helps to determine whether force was appropriate.

“We want to see what’s going on,” Hutson said.

To review reports from the Consent Decree Monitor’s report, visit www.consentdecreemonitor.com.

To review reports from the New Orleans Independent Police Monitor or to file a complaint or commend an officer via that office, visit www.nolaipm.org or call (504) 681-3217.

To learn more about NOPD re­cruitment opportunities, visit www.nola.gov/nopd/police-recruiting.

To report a complaint to NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau, or to report a matter to NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau, call (504) 658-6800 or visit the bureau, which is located at 715 South Broad St., Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Individuals can also file a complaint or commendation online at www.nola.gov/nopd/police-recruiting.

To review the NOPD consent de­cree, visit 1240 N. Claiborne Ave., Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

This article originally published in the September 22, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.