NOPD Supt. takes post as Baltimore police commish
14th January 2019 · 0 Comments
NOPD Supt. Michael Harrison announced last Tuesday that he is stepping down from his current post to take on the biggest challenge of his career: Becoming police commissioner of Baltimore, Maryland, the deadliest large city in the U.S.
Baltimore, the current “murder capital,” finished 2018 with 309 homicides.
Harrison, a McDonogh 35 grad and 28-year NOPD veteran, has served as NOPD superintendent since 2014.
He was tapped to lead the department after then NOPD Supt. Ronal Serpas stepped down after it was learned that a female NOPD officer turned off her body camera before shooting a suspect in the head during a scuffle and the NOPD failed to report the incident for three days. 
A s police chief, Harrison oversaw implementation of a 492-point, federally mandated consent decree aimed at bringing the NOPD up to federal standards for constitutional policing for four of the past five and a half years.
Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said Harrison’s oversight of the federally mandated con set decree and his success with reducing the city’s murder rate were two factors that made him an attractive candidate for the job.
Pugh’s office released the following statement regarding the hiring of Harrison:
“Mayor Catherine Pugh has selected New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael S. Harrison as her choice for Commissioner-designate of the Baltimore Police Department.
“I have informed City Council President Jack Young of my decision to submit to Council members the selection of New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael S. Harrison as the next Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department. Superintendent Harrison has achieved clear, compelling and consistent results in reducing violent crime, implementing a federally-mandated consent decree, increasing police recruitment, introducing advanced technologies, and deploying proactive and effective policing strategies that reflect 21st century, constitutional policing. He will bring not only significant and relevant experience to addressing the challenges of Baltimore, but the insight and sensitivity needed to reestablish essential trust and confidence of citizens in their police officers.”
Harrison, 49, will reportedly earn an annual salary of $250,000.
“I’m honored by Mayor Pugh’s confidence in my abilities and approach and look forward to getting to Baltimore in the coming weeks to engage broadly with residents about the challenges to public safety and confidence in their police department,” Harrison said. “My first priority will be to drive meaningful cultural change within the Department such that not only is there a renewed sense of purpose and mission among those sworn to protect and serve, but that citizens’ trust is restored to a new level that enables true collaboration and confidence. Only then can we make sustained progress in reducing violence in close partnership with those who have the most at stake. I am inspired by the approaches Mayor Pugh has introduced to address the root causes of violent crime and disrupt the lure of criminal life among those young people most at risk. I look forward to partnering with her, the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department, and the community to build on the clear momentum underway.”
“Since my reappointment in May 2018, I have enjoyed the complete support of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell,” Harrison said. “For that, I wish to express my profound gratitude. From the time she was sworn in, she has provided us the necessary resources and support critical to carrying out our mission of reducing violent crime and implementing 21st century policing reforms.
“To the citizens of New Orleans I would like to say, serving as your police chief for the past four years has been the highest honor and privilege of my 28-year career with the New Orleans Police Department. This city and its people will forever hold a special place in my heart.”
“The progress the men and women of the NOPD have made towards reforming the department and achieving the goals of our consent decree has prepared Chief Harrison for this next step,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement. “We are approaching full compliance with the consent decree, and we stand ready to begin the next great era. It is a testament to the progress that’s been made that other jurisdictions have sought out our Chief. We wish him all the best going forward.”
“I spoke to Chief Harrison this morning to convey my deepest thanks for his exceptional service to our City,” New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno said Tuesday. “I’m sad to see him leave NOPD, but happy for him personally as he takes on a new challenge in Baltimore. I’m proud of the work Chief accomplished as NOPD’s leader: from his unwavering commitment to constitutional policing and deep community engagement to his effectiveness at lowering violent crime, to his focus on building an impressive and diverse leadership team around him. I’ve come to know Mayor Pugh of Baltimore through our participation in Women’s leadership group and have learned about the challenges Baltimore faces in terms of violence and public safety. She has made a wise choice in hiring Chief Harrison. He’s the right man for the job. New Orleans’ loss is Baltimore’s gain.”
“Chief Harrison has been an incredible leader for New Orleans, and I am proud to have worked with him and to call him a friend,” said Judy Reese Morse, President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana.
“Baltimore is getting more than a police commissioner. Baltimore is getting an honorable family man who cares about the advancement of our communities. I have worked with Chief Harrison to reduce violent crime and increase investments in young people who others discard. I have witnessed him spend time with young men to not only give tough love, but to offer sincere help and support. New Orleans is losing a jewel, but he has undoubtedly left our police department stronger, better trained, and better resourced. We wish him and his family all the best as they begin this new journey to increase safety and trust in Baltimore.”
“I have known Michael since he was a young officer with black hair and I was a young lawyer with hair,” City Council president Williams said. “He is a wonderful man and has ushered our city through an extremely precarious time. Consent decrees are typically met with disdain from top to bottom. Chief Harrison instead embraced it, leading the NOPD to become the national standard bearer of police reform and increasing public safety at the same time. Through unique programs such as Ethical Policing Is Courageous (EPIC) and a revolutionary training partnership with the Innocence Project of New Orleans, the Department has made exponential improvements under his leadership.”
“I’m saddened to see him go but extremely proud that a native son of New Orleans will now share his talents with the City of Baltimore,” Williams continued. “He and his family have been true assets to our community. As chair of the Council’s Criminal Justice committee, I will continue my ardent support of the NOPD and work expeditiously to institutionalize the reform and public safety improvements and policies that the Chief was committed to.”
Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said Harrison will be missed.
“His ability to communicate to his troops, in my opinion, made him an effective leader. I think he is going to do a very good job in the city of Baltimore, and they should be proud to have him. Their gain is certainly going to be our loss,” Cannizzaro said.
Cannizzaro said whomever replaces Harrison should have his leadership qualities.
“They should have the same attitude, the same work ethic and the same positive motivation to help and work with us to allow us to go after the violent criminals in this community,” Cannizzaro said.
“Whether it’s internal or external, that’s going to be a critical decision for the mayor and her adviser,” LSU Health criminologist Peter Scharf told FOX 8 News.
Scharf said finding the next superintendent will be tough.
“Law enforcement is changing, and I think we need fresh ideas and fresh approaches. You want to look at cities where they’ve reduced their violent crime. What did they do there? What secrets can we steal from other cities?” Scharf said.
Scharf said Harrison’s replacement should also be well-rounded.
“You’ve got to get somebody who understands policing and public health, and I think that is the challenge for the mayor, the city and the Police Department,” Scharf said.
Mayor Cantrell said Thursday that she would name a replacement for Harrison from within the NOPD by Monday, Jan. 14.
This article originally published in the January 14, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
