If confirmed, Anne Kirkpatrick will take over department from Interim Chief Michelle Woodfork
The NOLA Coalition, a collection of nearly 550 local nonprofits, civic organizations, and businesses, congratulates Anne Kirkpatrick on being nominated by Mayor LaToya Cantrell to be the next Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department. The selection by Mayor Cantrell comes after a national search led by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, coupled with a significant increase in superintendent compensation, both priorities actively supported by the NOLA Coalition.
Kirkpatrick brings with her 35 years of experience in law enforcement, coupled with 20 years of leading police departments of larger municipalities than New Orleans. She will take over the NOPD from Interim Chief Michelle Woodfork, who has overseen a recent decrease in violent crime.
If Kirkpatrick is confirmed, the NOLA Coalition looks forward to working with her and the NOPD on Kirkpatrick’s top three stated priorities: improving staffing, reducing violent crime, and completion of the consent decree. With this in mind, the NOLA Coalition urges the New Orleans City Council to begin the confirmation process soon, as the need for a permanent NOPD chief is urgent.