Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Orleans Parish Communication District Executive Director Tyrell Morris is stepping down from his position effective Monday, July 10.
Morris held the position for six years and his resignation was originally set to take effect on Sept. 15, according to an announcement made on June 26.
“I have often publicly shared that we don’t talk about leadership wellness enough and how we treat each deeply affects how we feel and how we lead. So, it is time for me to refocus on loving and building myself. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we are no good to anyone. Thank you, New Orleans, OPCD Board and Staff, Mayor Cantrell and my family,” said Morris.
Following the announcement, Councilwoman-at-large Helena Moreno wrote a letter to OPCD Chairman John Thomas calling for Morris to be suspended immediately.
“According to numerous media reports, Director Morris is under investigation for his alleged actions following a car accident in his publicly funded OPCD vehicle. There are questions regarding Mr. Morris’ failure to submit a required drug and alcohol screening and to obtain a police report, and according to metadata, altering an official OPCD Vehicle Policy to make it appear he was not required to get screened for drugs and alcohol after a qualifying accident. Injuring public records is a crime under LA RS 14:132,” she said.
On June 28, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responded to Moreno’s letter saying, “Director Morris is a certified public safety executive that has been engaged every hour of every day leading OPCD and my public safety team through several emergencies, events and significant technology and operational improvements for over six years.”
During a press conference that day, she added, “Relative to the councilmember signing the letter and submitting it to the board, I respect their feedback. Thank you very much. However, Tyrell Morris, director of OPCD, is a vital part of our public safety team, as has been demonstrated over the past five years as I’ve been mayor. We will continue to engage him as our director. He tendered his resignation, gave a great leave time. I thank him so much for that because transition does matter,” Cantrell said.
On July 5, Moreno and Councilmember Jim Morrell wrote another letter to Thomas to request a report on the OPCD’s investigation of the allegations against Morris.
“We have learned through media reports that you have conducted your own internal investigation, separate from the Inspector General (IG), into allegations Director Tyrell Morris injured public documents after wrecking his publicly funded vehicle. As the legislative body that appropriates City funding to the Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD), we are requesting that the City Council receive a report on your investigation and findings.”
On July 6, the OPCD board met to discuss whether Morris should be suspended sooner than his original resignation date. The board had 72 hours to investigate the incident and would meet Tuesday to possibly make a decision.
However, on Monday, Thomas announced that Morris decided to step away from his role of executive director because he felt that recent media attention was distracting from the work of his team.
“Director Morris expressed that he felt the recent overwhelming media attention was beginning to distract from the heroic work the team at Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) does each and every day to ensure the safety of both our residents and visitors and felt it was best to step away to protect the mission and integrity of the organization,” Thomas said.
Thomas noted that the board did not ask Morris to take this action.
He also said Morris will remain available to the OPCD staff and Board if needed to ensure the steady flow of operations.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
