Current:Home > MyAnne Kirkpatrick, a veteran cop but newcomer to New Orleans, gets city council OK as police chief-LoTradeCoin
Anne Kirkpatrick, a veteran cop but newcomer to New Orleans, gets city council OK as police chief
View Date:2024-12-24 09:01:35
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anne Kirkpatrick, a veteran police official who has served as chief of departments in Spokane, Washington, and Oakland, California, won City Council approval as New Orleans’ new police chief Thursday on a 6-1 vote.
Kirkpatrick had been serving as interim chief after Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the appointment in June, pending council approval.
Hailed as a reformer by her supporters, Kirkpatrick takes over a department that has been operating under a broad reform agreement with the U.S. Justice Department that was approved by a federal judge in 2013. It was the result of federal investigations growing out of deadly police shootings of civilians in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
She also must deal with a force that has been steadily dropping in manpower in recent years, even amid jumps in violent crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kirkpatrick succeeds Shaun Ferguson, who retired last year. Michelle Woodfork took over the chief’s duties on an interim basis and had applied for the job
Voters approved a measure last year granting the council the right to approve or reject a mayor’s nominee for police chief. Kirkpatrick’s approval came despite some complaints from council members that the selection process had not been sufficiently transparent.
Thursday’s council vote followed a council committee hearing last week in which Kirkpatrick answered questions, outlined plans and pledged to be fair, independent and open to council member’s opinions.
Council Vice President Helena Moreno, who had expressed support for Woodfork in the past, voted for Kirkpatrick and wished her success.
“We need an independent and determined chief laser-focused on improving public safety. Anne Kirkpatrick has committed to being this type of leader, and I will hold her accountable for that,” Moreno said. “I want this new chief, who was selected by the Mayor, to be successful — we need her to be successful.”
veryGood! (6)
Related
- John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
- Honolulu tells story of healers with dual male and female spirit through new plaque in Waikiki
- Are I Bonds a good investment? Shake-up in rates changes the answer (a little)
- Georgia agency gets 177,000 applications for housing aid, but only has 13,000 spots on waiting list
- After entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts
- Man with previous conviction for IS membership detained in Germany, suspected of murder plan
- Sweetgreen adding meat options to menu with protein plates, now available nationwide
- Home Depot employee accused of embezzling $1.2 million from company, police say
- Review: 'Emilia Pérez' is the most wildly original film you'll see in 2024
- A manufacturing company in Ohio has found success with a 4-day workweek
Ranking
- Are Ciara Ready and Russell Wilson Ready For Another Baby? She Says…
- A battle of wreaths erupts in the Arctic when Russian envoy puts his garland over Norway’s wreath
- NHL rescinds ban on rainbow-colored Pride tape, allowing players to use it on the ice this season
- Mike Johnson, a staunch conservative from Louisiana, is elected House speaker with broad GOP support
- Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
- Murder charge reinstated against former cop in shooting of Eddie Irizarry: Report
- A trial begins for a Hawaii couple accused of stealing identities of dead babies
- Bitcoin prices have doubled this year and potentially new ways to invest may drive prices higher
Recommendation
-
Mike Tomlin's widely questioned QB switch to Russell Wilson has quieted Steelers' critics
-
USPS touts crackdown on postal crime, carrier robberies, with hundreds of arrests
-
Will Arch Manning play for Texas this week? What that could mean for his future
-
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson's four-game unnecessary roughness suspension reduced
-
Quincy Jones' cause of death revealed: Reports
-
Murder charge reinstated against former cop in shooting of Eddie Irizarry: Report
-
Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski and husband Todd Kapostasy welcome baby via surrogate
-
Dwayne Johnson's Wax Figure Gets an Update After Museum's Honest Mistake