New Orleans Seeks To End Federal Oversight Of Police

Department of justice U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Justice Department seal is seen at Justice Department headquarters in Washington

New Orleans and the U.S. Department of Justice have jointly filed a motion in federal court to request the termination of long-standing federal oversight of the city's police department. This move comes after a reform pact, known as a consent decree, was established in 2013 following a Department of Justice investigation that uncovered evidence of racial bias and misconduct within the New Orleans Police Department.

If approved by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan, the city and its police department will have an additional two years under federal oversight to demonstrate compliance with the reform measures outlined in the consent decree before the oversight is lifted.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division acknowledged the progress made by the City of New Orleans and its police department in ensuring constitutional and fair policing.

Consent decree established in 2013 due to racial bias and misconduct findings.

Joint motion filed to end federal oversight of New Orleans police department.

City and police department to have two more years to demonstrate compliance.

Judge Morgan has announced plans to hold a public hearing within the next 45 days to gather community input on whether the city and its police department should be allowed to transition out of federal oversight.

The Independent Police Monitor, an independent civilian oversight agency established in 2008, emphasized the importance of considering the voices of city residents in the decision-making process while recognizing that the consent decree was always intended to be phased out gradually.

In 2011, the Justice Department found that the New Orleans police had engaged in unjustified use of deadly force, unconstitutional arrests, and racial profiling. The department also highlighted inadequate investigations into officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths.

Despite the strain on the city's resources, Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed concerns about the financial burden of complying with federal monitoring requirements. The mayor's office is expected to release a statement addressing the recent court filing.

Judge Morgan commended the progress made by the New Orleans Police Department and emphasized that the court would take decisive action if the city and police department failed to uphold the ongoing reform efforts.