NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Police Department is receiving praise from the federal monitoring team and judge for its progress under the consent decree as it relates to stops, searches and arrests.
The city’s health department director, Dr. Jennifer Avegno, also attended the hearing to tell U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan how the Mental Health Crisis Unit and domestic violence program are assisting NOPD.
“NOPD has been incredibly supportive of these programs because they know it relieves their burden,” said Avegno. “And it lets them do what they do best, which is law enforcement and not mental health.”
Before Morgan heard from Avegno and members of NOPD, she said she and the federal monitors have received multiple questions and a letter from a Loyola law professor regarding the new Louisiana State Police troop in New Orleans.
“I wrote a letter because a lot of community members were asking me whether or not the state troopers would have to comply,” explained Professor Will Snowden. “I wasn’t sure, so I went to the judge and simply wrote a letter to ask her.”
Morgan said the Louisiana State Police is not required to comply with the consent decree, which concerns Snowden, citing the Department of Justice’s 2022 investigation into the Louisiana State Police.
“There are many residents who are just concerned about what oversight will look like, what compliance will look like if it’s not with the consent decree, ensuring compliance with the United States Constitution,” Snowden said.
The judge said she would like clarity on how the Louisiana State Police will be coordinating with NOPD, and that the community is curious as well.
“I’m happy to have conversations with Louisiana State Police and the members of the community who I’ve been working with, to foster that relationship, foster that dialogue,” said Snowden.
The next consent decree hearing will be April 18 as federal monitors are expected to review NOPD’s bias-free policing.
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