There’s a lot going on over at NOPD headquarters. They’re hashing out Super Bowl and Mardi Gras security. Meanwhile, the judicial system just concluded that the department is in substantial compliance with the 12-year consent decree. They’re now in the final phase.
So what does all of this mean? I interviewed Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission who helps us understand the 'sustainment period' which began this week.
Goyeneche claims this is something that could've happened long ago.
“Despite the city’s missteps," Goyeneche says, "the judge still moved the police department into the final phase and that's a real accomplishment. It’s something that was 12 years in the making. I believe it would've happened years ago if it hadn't been for the mayor's missteps in attempting to bypass the agreed procedures in the consent decree. And, had she worked toward substantial compliance, I believe the department would moved into the final phase as early as 2021, rather than January 2025.”
Listen to the full interview above.
