Cantrell, Riley spar over rescinded job offer
21st May 2018 · 0 Comments
The drama over Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s decision to rescind a job offer to former NOPD Supt. Warren Riley continues to unfold as the city’s top executive defends her right to change her mind and the former cop insists that he had nothing to do with the shooting of unarmed residents by police less than a week after Hurricane Katrina on the Danziger Bridge in eastern New Orleans.
Cantrell had reportedly planned to appoint Riley the Homeland Security Director but decided against it after being informed that some members of the community had a problem with Riley because of the Danziger Bridge incident, which led to a federally mandated NOPD consent decree that is still being implemented.
The position would have paid Riley an annual salary of $180,000.
Riley released a lengthy statement calling the mayor’s decision a complete surprise. He also released a letter Wednesday that was signed by him and Cantrell. At the bottom, it says “to accept this job offer, please sign.” Which Riley did on April 22.
Eight days later at a press conference, Cantrell told reporters, “Based on the uptick, I would say in the community as it relates to Warren Riley, I determined to press pause at this time.”
Cantrell said she made her decision after talking with family members of those killed on the Danziger Bridge after Katrina.
Riley is now firing back at the Cantrell administration.
“Regrettably, I learned this morning in a telephone conversation with Mayor LaToya Cantrell that she has rescinded her official appointment of me, as City of New Orleans Director of Homeland Security and Public Safety,” Riley said. “After six weeks of rigorous interviews and vetting, it was determined that I was the most qualified candidate for the position. I am deeply disappointed and the Mayor’s reversal comes as a complete surprise.
“Throughout the interview process, Mayor-Elect Cantrell indicated that she was impressed with my 20 years of local law enforcement leadership, international emergency relief work and experience managing and coordinating the federal response to Presidentially declared disasters with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),” Riley continued. “Specifically, after a thorough review, I obtained top-secret clearance from the Department of Homeland Security. Appointed by two presidential administrations as the lead federal coordinating officer, I managed 14 federally declared disasters around the country. The U.S. State Department selected me to assist with the assessment of the collapse of the criminal justice system in Haiti, following the 2010 earthquake. I was a lead adviser to the Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control on the Flint, Michigan water crisis. And, as a lecturer and keynote speaker, I have addressed international audiences about disaster management response and recovery.
“Prior to the scheduled May 1, 2018 Cantrell Administration Cabinet Appointments News Conference Announcement, I was preparing to return to City Government, having undergone employment administration processes, including security and background checks and a drug test.
“On the morning of the May 1 news conference, I was introduced to the Mayor’s new leadership team as the Director of Homeland Security and Public Safety. Following that introduction, at the Mayor’s direction, I conducted an introductory group session with the leadership including, the NOPD Police Chief and the Director of the Office of Secondary Employment, as well as, the Fire Chief, the Crime Commissioner, and the Chief of Emergency Management. I was given a tour of the Office of Emergency Management. Shortly thereafter, Mayor-Elect Cantrell notified me, asking if I would meet her in the Council Chamber to discuss the upcoming news conference that was scheduled to be held in 30 minutes. Upon our meeting, the Mayor informed me that she was putting a pause on my appointment.
“Today’s decision by Mayor Cantrell to reverse her initial decision and rescind my appointment is concerning on several levels. I am aware of the rumors and untruths being spread questioning my personal character and professional reputation.
“Let me set the record straight. First and foremost, to all of those who lost loved ones during Katrina, they have always had my absolute sympathy and prayers,” Riley said. “Related to the Danziger Bridge incident. At no time was I on the bridge. At no time did I have communications with officers during the incident. At no time did I give any orders related to actions that transpired on the bridge. At that time, I was directing rescue operations from temporary police field office located at the Harrah’s Casino.
“Regarding, the police department incident report, I did not read the report in its entirety but, I was briefed multiple times by the Chief of Detectives concerning the incident. The incident report was submitted to the Orleans District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney obtained indictments. Officers went to trial in Orleans Criminal District Court. The case was ultimately dismissed by the presiding Judge. Subsequently, the case was tried in federal court. As then Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, I followed all standard operating procedures related to this incident.
“I love New Orleans and was humbled to be called again to serve, under the first female Mayor, in the year of our Tricentennial. It is with great regret that I will not have the opportunity to bring my commitment to community and wealth of national and international emergency management and law enforcement expertise to the great, historic and progressive City of New Orleans.”
FOX 8 News reported that the signed agreement between Cantrell and Riley says the offer is conditional on completion of a background check and drug test, which Riley did authorize.
On Wednesday night, Cantrell released a statement that said, “The proposed position was of ‘at will’ service to the city and without privilege of civil service standing.”
The mayor added that Riley’s offer letter was for an unclassified position, serving at the pleasure of the mayor.
“It was and is within the mayor’s discretion to continue evaluating the hire, and ultimately to elect not to move forward,” Cantrell’s statement said.
There has been some speculation that Riley might take legal action against the Cantrell administration or the City of New Orleans.
This article originally published in the May 21, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
