Partnering with international organization to find the best and brightest police chief

Citizens will have the opportunity to take part in a community meeting or fill out a public survey, as the New Orleans Police Department Task Force gathers public input on what the city needs in the next police chief, Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu announced today.

“I understand that often times the best ideas come from people in neighborhoods across the city, who deal with the issue of crime everyday. That’s why I’m encouraging citizens to let their voices be heard, as we work to find the next police chief,” said Landrieu.

The NOPD Task Force will host a community meeting on Thursday, March 11th at 6:30 p.m. at the Superdome’s South West Club Claiborne Room. In addition, a survey is available online or by hard copy at the Urban League of Greater New Orleans (2322 Canal Street).  The survey asks what criteria and characteristics the city needs in the next chief.

The New Orleans Police Department Task Force is also partnering with the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) to assist with the national search for this critical position.

The IACP is the world's oldest and largest nonprofit membership organization of police executives. It has special expertise in vetting high-level law enforcement officials and has aided in placing police chiefs in many major cities across the country.

“Fighting crime is my top priority, and that starts by hiring a tough, honest police chief.  Partnering with the IACP will help us recruit the best and the brightest police chief in the country,” said Landrieu.

The IACP will solicit candidate recommendations from major law enforcement professional associations, including the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Police Executive Research Forum, the Hispanic American Command Officers Association, the National Center for Women and Policing, and the International Association of Women Police.

“We are a diverse group bound by a common mission and a sense of purpose.  We’ve made significant progress since the task force was convened last week,” said Dr. Norman Francis, Xavier University president and co-chair of the NOPD Task Force.  “We are on track and laying a foundation for success.”

“I encourage people to take this opportunity to provide their input by filling out the survey and attending the community meeting,” said Nolan Rollins, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans and co-chair of the NOPD Task Force. “This input will be used as we create the profile for the next chief, and it will guide our search.”