New Orleans mayor nominates Anne Kirkpatrick as next police chief
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Anne Kirkpatrick poses for a portrait in her office in Oakland, California, in 2019. Photo: Michael Short/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Monday nominated longtime law enforcement officer Anne Kirkpatrick to be the city's next police chief.
- Kirkpatrick, most recently the police chief in Oakland, California, will now go before the City Council for a confirmation process.
Why it matters: The NOPD superintendent role is one of the most important jobs in the city, which reclaimed the unfortunate title of the murder capital of the U.S. late last year.
- The force is also struggling to fill its ranks and staff the many special events it hosts, including dozens of Mardi Gras parades.
Catch up fast: Cantrell's administration in January enlisted the International Association of Chiefs of Police to lead the national search.
- Thirty-three candidates applied, the mayor said, including Michelle Woodfork, who has been filling in on an interim basis since Shaun Ferguson retired in December.
- Local officials criticized Cantrell's administration and IACP throughout the process, saying the search lacked transparency.
Driving the news: Kirkpatrick joined Cantrell in a press conference at City Hall on Monday, hours after news started trickling out that Kirkpatrick was selected.
- "I have no doubt that Anne Kirkpatrick is the leader for this time," Cantrell said, citing her more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, with 20 of those leading police forces.
- She emphasized Oakland's decrease in homicides and nonfatal shootings during Kirkpatrick's leadership.
Meanwhile, Woodfork, who was also a finalist, has agreed to stay on as interim chief until Sept. 22, Cantrell said.
- Kirkpatrick said she met with Woodfork on Monday and asked her to stay on after that as part of the department's leadership team.
- She doesn't plan for other leadership changes. "I intend to keep the staff as is," Kirkpatrick said at the press conference. "The talent is there. I will not be bringing anyone with me."
What's next: Kirkpatrick said she looks forward to the confirmation process and plans to "come prepared" with a plan for where we are going, how do we get there and what is my role in this plan.
- Cantrell said she hopes to have the confirmation process finished by Oct. 5, but the timeline will be up to the City Council.
Zoom out: Kirkpatrick was among four finalists along with Woodfork. The others were:
- David Franklin, formerly with the Albuquerque Police Department.
- Thedrick Andres Sr., a former police chief in Henderson, Nevada, who was hired in Texas during the process.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.