Ferguson was named 4th District officer of the year in 2000, 2002 and 2003, according to his resum. Ed Chervenak, a political scientist at UNO, said that he expects Cantrell to do so, and doubted that it would change her already sour relationship with the council. Ferguson said it was time to focus on family, and he felt confident that he had made a difference in his time with the police department. With the department now in his hands, Ferguson suggested he would like to hold onto proven strategies while making tweaks where needed. Ferguson quickly received a reminder that being the top cop comes with greater scrutiny. SOME HAVE SAID IS THE ISSUE WITHIN THE NOPD. "City Council President Helena Moreno released the following statement: Superintendent Ferguson faced significant challenges over the past several years, and I want to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the people of our City. You have permission to edit this article. Shaun Ferguson named new NOPD chief by Mayor LaToya Cantrell. In the roughly five years between graduating high school and joining the force, he worked as a private security guard and as a maintenance assistant for the Army Corps of Engineers. Charles Southall, describes Ferguson as an upstanding community person and a man of faith.. So that started a conversation, Ferguson said. One of the church's members, Henry Glovers aunt Rebecca, said she wishes him well. I am walking out on my own accord, he said. Cantrell's statement about Ferguson's retirement can be read below: "The City of New Orleans will soon bid farewell to a great leader, a great partner and a great friend. InspireNOLA charter school network in November honored Ferguson with a community service award. Fergusons Algiers home emerged unscathed, aside from losing power. In a lengthy interview detailing his career, Ferguson said he was accepted into the police academy, but after talking with his parents, he backed out. June 14, 2022; indigo child symbol He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern . He is also a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. As the New Orleans City Council approved the city budget for the upcoming year, including a package of incentives for recruiting and retaining New Orleans Police officer, councilmember at-large J.P. Morrell repeated his desire to see NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson replaced. He said Monday he was raised in the Lower 9th Ward before moving to Algiers. 2021. He didnt have the political support from the political leadership to offer raises to officers that the crime commission and other groups called for in 2020. MY FAMILY HAS ENDURED A LOT. Officers grievances included cronyism, favoritism, and being promoted based on who you know and not on ability or experience, she said of the results. We have also seen more illegal guns being taken off our streets, with nearly 2,500 illegal guns seized just this year. Ferguson said Monday he also received a masters decree from SUNO. But his tenure quickly proved challenging, with the outbreak of the COVID pandemic and a reversal of steep dips in violent crime. She has a long family history of law enforcement careers, including her father, who joined the force in 1968 as a cadet, and her uncle Warren G. Woodfork Sr., who was appointed as the first African American Superintendent of the NOPD. Pennington came as a reform agent, and upon doing so, he earned a lot of the communitys trust, he said. View online City tools and other City websites. WE HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE. Updated: Jan 19, 2023 / 03:30 PM CST. I WAS NOT FORCED. NOLA 311is New Orleans primary source of local government information and non-emergency services. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. In August 2015, during jury selection for veteran 4th District Officer Michael Thomassies trial on allegations of raping a 7-year-old girl, Thomassie received a pair of text messages from Ferguson. Published: Sep. 8, 2022 at 8:55 PM PDT. Ferguson told McMain students at the rally that by spearheading the event and planning a march to City Hall, they demonstrated their leadership to the community. Hes just a really sincere person. ITS A DECISION SAYS WAS HIS AND HIS ALONE. I have been convinced since the day Shaun was appointed superintendent that he was going to do a great job. According to Ferguson, he has no plans after retirement and will remain in the city to see what God has to offer him. Ferguson and other cops were assigned to a task force which proactively sought out criminals instead of waiting for 911 calls. Should Ferguson continue to work as a police officer in some capacity, he could keep contributing to his state retirement package. Ferguson was sworn in as . 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. Since joining the NOPD in 1998, Chief Ferguson has served with honor, distinction and integrity. He said that the data was not an indictment against officers who work for the NOPD and expressed his appreciation for the officers in the department. I appreciated the Chiefs recent willingness to listen to the community and the Councils reform recommendations to help NOPD meet the demands of today. Ferguson will retire at year's end. Ferguson said he does not remember sending the messages, but that they were not out of character. See a spelling or grammar error in our story? (booking photo via Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office). None of the responding officers noticed signs of impairment, but as per NOPD policy, Ferguson took a blood alcohol test. 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. His . The right process will find the best people. Follow Matt Sledge on Twitter, @mgsledge. During his tenure, he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Southern University of New Orleans and also received a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. I think Shauns biggest challenge was he continued to be asked to do great things with less and less people each day, and little political support to make recruiting and retention the governments No. New Orleans police hiring civilians to give traffic citations, respond NOPD superintendent Shaun Ferguson Sr., left, and outgoing chief Michael Harrison, salute one another during the final walk and swearing-in ceremony at Gallier Hall on St. Charles Ave. Friday, Jan . That change does not go into effect until Jan. 1, meaning Cantrell could appoint a new police chief without council approval. What began as a simple salary data search on officers in the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has led to a months-long undercover sting operation and has recently ended with cop suspensions, a . There could be somebody out there thats just a diamond in the rough, that may have some fantastic ideas, Livaccari said. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche said yesterday that NOPD Superintendent Shaun D. Ferguson deserves the highest accolades for his handling of the department since the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests began. I will still be your neighbor and I will always be a part of this city that I love so much. Ferguson currently serves as commander of the Education and Training Division, which oversees the police academy. +56 9 8252 6387 (La Reina) +56 9 8435 2712 (Las Condes) marks and spencer ladies coats. 3 Reasons The Mayor Should Choose Shaun Ferguson's Successor RIGHT NOW Shootings are up 87%. 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. I was not forced out. New Orleans Police Department Commander Shaun Ferguson was named the citys new police superintendent on Monday (Jan. 14) by Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Moving forward, there should be a national search for a new police chief to find the best candidate to lead the NOPD. Subscribe to email updates, All Contents. Scharf said Ferguson was mentored by current NOPD Deputy Chief of Operations Paul Noel, an advocate of data-and technology-driven policing whos seen as No. As Superintendent, Chief Ferguson helped shape the NOPD into a strong, trustworthy, professional and efficient department, capable of repairing the broken rapport between the NOPD and our citizens and business owners. Moving forward, there should be a national search for a new police chief to find the best candidate to lead the NOPD. This is my decision. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Adamant that he was not pressured to leave his post as the NOPD's superintendent, a solemn and sometimes emotional Shaun Ferguson on Wednesday (Dec. 7) said his decision to retire after 24 years on the city's police force was his and his alone. But the fellow officers brush with death became a formative experience for Ferguson, and one he still remembers clearly nearly two decades later after being sworn in recently as superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. Shaun Ferguson announces retirement, La. We went out there every day with courage, determination.. I appreciated the Chiefs recent willingness to listen to the community and the Councils reform recommendations to help NOPD meet the demands of today, Moreno said in a statement following the announcement. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Jan. 14 announced the 46-year-old Ferguson as her choice to replace former chief Michael Harrison, who has taken a job as police commissioner in Baltimore. 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.. On Election Day (Nov. 8), New Orleans voters approved a Home Rule Charter change that gives the City Council power to confirm or deny mayoral appointees. Ferguson said he first met Cantrell as a lieutenant in the 2nd District, where he served from 2012 to 2014. He has a bachelors degree in business administration from Southern University of New Orleans, NOPD said in a 2015 news release about his promotion to 2nd District commander. 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. In 2016, she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, initially assigned to the 7th District before moving to the 2nd District under the supervision of then Commander Shaun Ferguson. Williams would make history as the first woman to ever become superintendent of the department. Ferguson said his commitment to accountability does not conflict with caring for officers, even ones who have fallen under criminal suspicion. "It is vital that the community continue its support for this department. Ferguson said his decision to retire was an emotional one. "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. Type an address to get zoning, district, and service information for your location, 1300 Perdido St, New Orleans, LA 70112 2018. As Superintendent, Chief Ferguson helped shape the NOPD into a strong, trustworthy, professional and efficient department, capable of repairing the broken rapport between the NOPD and our citizens and business owners. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The speedy transition meant the public had little chance to probe Fergusons background before he was named chief, a process that is beginning as he takes the reins. Now Ferguson must apply those lessons to controlling crime in a city that is still one of the nations most violent, while implementing a highly complex, federally mandated reform plan designed to keep something like the Algiers 7 shootings from ever happening again. "Copyright 2023 The City of New Orleans"|Report Fraud|Site Policies & Information. The 21-year-old was booked into the Orleans Justice Center jail on a charge of domestic-abuse battery, WDSU 6 reported, citing inmate booking information from the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office. Chief Shaun Ferguson announces retirement | WGNO.com FERGUSON ALSO SURE TO ADDRESS HIS CRITICS, SOME OF WHOM WORK AT CITY HALL. The clientele back then was rougher, recalled Barnes, a friend of Ferguson's back then, and now an NOPD public information officer. City Council member Freddie King was among the majority on the council calling for Cantrell to follow the voter-approved confirmation process. His community-focused approach has helped mend the relationships between our officers and our residents. Ferguson previously served as Commander of the NOPDs Second District from 2016-2018. NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson - Facebook Fergusons first commander assignment was in the 4th District, which polices Algiers and has often been the starting ground for lieutenants who have been promoted to commander. Ferguson is a New Orleans native and a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School in 1990. He gave this city his very best - the safety and . Prior to training the next generation of NOPD officers, he served as Commander of the Second District from 2016 to 2018. "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. We need to support each other as we continue the work of making the city safe for its residents and visitors. 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. Tell my wife that I love her, Barnes said. Shane Ferguson, son of NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday evening, Cunningham said in a statement late Tuesday. According to Ferguson, his family had endured "a lot" during his tenure as chief and thanked them for their support. 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. It was Officer Juan Barnes Sr., one of Fergusons comrades in the Algiers-based 4th District of New Orleans. 715 South Broad St Before this, he commanded NOPDs Fourth District from 2014 to 2016. By Ken Daley. Earlier in the day, Ferguson expressed gratitude for his nearly four years as the citys top cop as he defended his stewardship of the force in troubled times, while saying the decision to retire was his. During his year-long recovery, the cops on his squad Ferguson among them donated sick days, called constantly and organized fundraisers. Ferguson was hired by NOPD in 1995, NOPD records show. "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. She received both a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement from Southern University at New Orleans. In the dark, but we got warm fresh water.. Williams would make history by becoming the first female Superintendent in NOPD history. He said the timing was unrelated to the charter amendment, and instead cited some challenges within my family and challenges with myself health-wise. Jacob Lundy, a former NOPD officer who resigned in 2017 after 10 years and works as a criminal justice consultant, worked under Ferguson in the 2nd District when he joined the department.