The New Orleans Office of Inspector General is urging Mayor LaToya Cantrell to hold a transparent national search for a new superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. Inspector General Edward Michel becomes the latest official to ask the mayor to seek a great deal of public input before announcing her selection.
"New Orleans should emulate the actions of Baltimore, Knoxville, Tampa, Atlanta, Rochester, the U.S. Capitol Police, and numerous other cities by conducting a national search with transparency and citizen involvement," Michel wrote. "The selection of the New Orleans Superintendent of Police is paramount to securing the effective protection of the people."
The inspector general's letter does not directly address the matter of the voter-approved New Orleans City Council approval process, but such a search would likely last into the new year, meaning the charter amendment will have taken effect by the time that search lands on a candidate. If Mayor Cantrell makes an appointment before January 1, council approval would not be required.
Chief Shaun Ferguson's last day is December 22.
"A rushed appointment could lead to the loss of public trust and jeopardize the success of your selection," Michel says as he heads into his conclusion. "Therefore, it is the position of the OIG that you should refrain from appointing a permanent Superintendent of the NOPD and instead make an interim appointment, pending a national search as outlined in this letter."
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