New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is responding to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's suggestion that NOPD cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security began immigration raids in the New Orleans area this week. Friday, Murrill issued a public statement about a letter sent to the NOPD chief, advising her to have NOPD cooperate with the enforcement surge known as "Operation Catahoula Crunch."
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Kirkpatrick said that statement has given people the wrong impression about the NOPD.
Read her response below:
There has been some public confusion suggesting that NOPD has not cooperated on immigration-related matters. That is not accurate. I want to be clear about the facts.
I did not receive the Attorney General’s letter directly. I first learned of it only after a news organization sent it to my Public Affairs Office for comment. Once I became aware of the letter, I immediately responded to the Attorney General.
In my response, I explained that NOPD has been actively working to finalize 37 remaining policies that were previously submitted for federal approval but never acted on — including the draft immigration policy that was sent for review back in November 2024.
I also invited the Attorney General to review that draft policy and make any changes needed to ensure NOPD is fully in compliance with Louisiana law. My goal is to finalize and approve this policy as quickly as possible.
As the Superintendent of Police, the most important thing I can do is that I will fully cooperate with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure NOPD is in full compliance with the law.”
Anne E. Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of Police