• The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is beginning the process to end federal oversight following a judge's ruling.
• U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan highlighted the department's transformation but emphasized ongoing work needed over the next two years.
• Despite improvements, critics point out issues with racial disparities in policing and community engagement.

In a significant development, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is set to initiate the winding down of its federal oversight, a move authorized by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan during a hearing this past Tuesday. This decision allows the NOPD to enter into a two-year "sustainment period" where necessary reforms can continue to be demonstrated. The ruling comes after a joint request from the city and the U.S. Justice Department to start wrapping up the long-standing monitoring program.

Judge Morgan expressed her pride in the advancements made by the NOPD, stating, "The court is tremendously proud of the achievements the NOPD has made. The hard work of the civilian and sworn members of the NOPD paid off." She recognized that the NOPD today is significantly changed from the agency that sparked the DOJ's investigation in 2011 but reminded city officials that the journey toward full reform is far from complete. The federal oversight originated in 2013, following extensive investigations that uncovered persistent misconduct, racial biases, and a troubling culture of impunity within the department.

The NOPD has instituted various reforms, including a comprehensive framework for audits, transparency enhancements through published training materials, and steps to curb long-standing issues such as payroll fraud. However, despite these improvements, many community activists, including those affiliated with the New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police, express skepticism about the department's commitment to genuine transformation. Concerns about racial disparities in the use of force—nearly 90% of which in 2023 targeted Black individuals, despite them making up over half of the city's population—remain prevalent.

During the hearing, Morgan rejected an immediate motion by city officials to lift federal oversight completely, referring to it as "political gamesmanship." Instead, she imposed a period during which the NOPD must solidify its progress and effectively implement the necessary changes. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick remarked on the milestone achieved, reinforcing her view that the NOPD is undergoing positive changes. “This police department is truly a world-class police department in a world-class city,” Kirkpatrick declared.

Nonetheless, community engagement appears to be stalling, with initiatives to set up advisory boards said to have languished. Stella Cziment, head of the Office of the Independent Police Monitor, stressed the importance of community involvement, stating, "It is the community that is going to be served by the NOPD... I cannot say today that has been achieved." Representative J.P. Morrell from the City Council criticized the city's efforts to end oversight prematurely and stressed the need for complete accountability.

As the NOPD embarks on this critical sustainment period, they will continue to address ongoing challenges, including enhancing the handling of sexual assault cases, which have previously been a significant concern. Plans are in place to utilize the services of Sigma Squared, a consulting firm aimed at reducing bias through improved analysis of data in the police department's operations. The upcoming years will be pivotal in determining whether the NOPD can truly sustain the reforms and rebuild trust within the community.

For more detailed coverage of this story, visit the original sources: AP News and LA Times.