Capt. Michelle Woodfork chosen as interim NOPD Superintendent by Mayor Cantrell

By Christopher Tidmore
Contributing Writer

Last Tuesday (December 20), New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that new leadership would be stepping in to take the reins of the New Orleans Police Department.

Longtime NOPD veteran Captain Michelle Woodfork has been appointed to serve as interim superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, pending a national search for a permanent replacement.

“Captain Woodfork is a legacy within the NOPD and is deeply rooted within the community. She grew up understanding the importance of law and order and rose through the ranks with grit, tenacity, endurance, strong determination, and steadfast focus. I look forward to working with NOPD’s new leadership under the direction of Captain Woodfork,” said Mayor Cantrell in a statement.

The mayor’s decision placated some members of the New Orleans City Council who worried that Cantrell would try to appoint a permanent police chief prior to January 1, 2023, when the new city charter amendment requiring City Council confirmation of mayoral department heads takes effect.

“Protecting this community remains my top priority,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “I heard from our residents during public meetings and met with over a dozen leaders within the department. It became crystal clear that there were a number of credible individuals capable of moving the NOPD forward. The foundation has been laid, and I believe appointing Captain Woodfork as Interim Superintendent of the NOPD is the best decision to ensure we maintain the strides and progress we’ve accomplished thus far,” said Cantrell.

Woodfork’s appointment has considerable historical resonance, as she will be the first woman to ever lead the department and is the niece of New Orleans’ first Black NOPD chief, Warren Woodfork.

A native of New Orleans and life-long resident of New Orleans East, Woodfork is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and Southern University at New Orleans, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, Woodfork joined the department in 1991 as a patrol officer in the city’s seventh district.

In her 32-year career, she has worked in five of the city’s eight police districts.

“Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by excellent policing and law enforcement as I watched both my father and uncle protect and serve the people of our city as NOPD officers,” said Captain Woodfork. “The seed to serve and protect my community was planted, and today, I am the living representation of their legacy. Throughout my 32 years on the force, I have served as a Patrol Officer, Administrative Sergeant, Lieutenant, and now Captain in many neighborhoods throughout this city. I love this job. It is me. I am laser-focused on leading this department by working with community members, leaders, and the men and women of the NOPD with the goal of protecting and serving the citizens and visitors of New Orleans.”

Woodfork officially took over as interim chief on December 22, and Mayor Cantrell has confirmed that she does have the right to apply to serve as permanent chief. This would put her candidacy in line with the desires of the outgoing superintendent Shaun Ferguson who has said his successor should come from within the ranks of current members of the department – putting him at odds with City Council members who have called for a nationwide search.

Cantrell has committed to looking beyond the city and the department, but does so as the NOPD is under siege. The ranks of the police force have dwindled to well under 1,000 officers, down from 1,300 a few years ago, amidst Increases in violent crime, homicides, and carjackings. This has led to deep skepticism amongst City Council members as well as fueled the recent recall effort of the mayor.

Nevertheless, Woodfork seemed undaunted as she assumed the job last week. “I am honored and humbled to serve as interim superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department,” Woodfork said. “And I understand that with this appointment comes great responsibility and accountability.”

This article originally published in the December 26, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.