NOPD

Following a first-of-its-kind confirmation process, New Orleans City Council voted Thursday to confirm Mayor LaToya Cantrell's pick to lead the city's police department.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s pick for police chief could be confirmed Thursday after a city council committee voted 4-1 to advance her nominee to a full vote.

The nomination is subject to the approval of the City Council. Anne Kirkpatrick would replace Shaun Ferguson, who retired from the job last year.

A 31-year veteran from the department will step in as the interim superintendent for the New Orleans Police Department, while the city conducts a search for its next police chief, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson will retire at the end of the month, according to a press release from the mayor’s office on Tuesday.

The city announced this week that it will begin enforcing an existing rule limiting the number of “elements”— like bands, floats and trolleys — in second lines.

As New Orleans heads into the busiest weekend of the Mardi Gras season, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city is “ready and prepared” — but is also stepping up safety and public health measures to deal with expected throngs of party-goers descending on the city during year three of the pandemic.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we learn about the political roadblocks to addressing New Orleans’ violent crime problem. We also hear about heightened tensions over redistricting and learn about burn accident awareness and prevention.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear a roundup of this week’s top political stories. And we learn how New Orleans public officials are responding to an uptick in crime.

In order to fix the staffing difficulties the department has faced throughout the pandemic, the NOPD chief met with the City Council Thursday to discuss a bigger budget for 2022.