Projectnola.com

September 15, 2010

New Orleans Police Department-Public Information Office

"A New Day in the New Orleans Police Department"

New Orleans, LA – Superintendent Ronal Serpas is pleased to announce that

Today the New Orleans Crime Coalition released its second survey of New Orleanian’s perceptions of the New Orleans Police Department (full results can be found at http://crimecoalitionnola.org/).  The NOPD congratulates and thanks the NOCC, under its Chair, Dr. Michael Cowan, for their commitment to assisting the NOPD in its quest to become the best Police Department in America.

"I am heartened by the increasing number of New Orleanian’s who are satisfied by the overall performance of our police department, and enthusiastically thank those officers and staff who have helped to make this difference; but, clearly we have much work to do," Superintendent Ronal Serpas said.

"It is important that every citizen, including my own employees, recognize, and in some cases accept, that this is a new day in the New Orleans Police Department.  The 65-point plan that I announced last month is predicated on restoring the trust and confidence of New Orleans' families in their police department.  That is not just lip service.  It is an absolute commitment."

Superintendent Ronal Serpas added, "While I am encouraged by the positive movement in several survey areas, including our cooperation with the public to address their concerns, and the increasing inclination of citizens to report crime, I am not pleased with the decline, albeit slight, in the perceptions of officer integrity and the general attitude of officers toward citizens. I would also reiterate that this is, indeed, a new day.  My management team and I are dedicated to professionalism and building upon the safety of all New Orleans neighborhoods.  As we make progress, I look forward to the results of future surveys."

“Along with NOPD leadership, I will do all that I can to restore honesty and integrity to our department.  To that end, I have recently initiated new policies that will result in termination for those who cannot, or will not, carry out their duties with honesty and the utmost integrity.”

Highlighted survey findings from the 2010 results versus the 2009 results are:

Total satisfied with the NOPD overall stood at 50% up from 33% (+17%)

Total pleasant encounter with NOPD employee stood at 75% up from 53% (+22%)

Total Agree: I feel safe in my neighborhood 76% up from 69% (+7%)

Total Agree: I feel safe other areas in NOLA 44% up from 34% (+10%)“I want to thank Mayor Landrieu, the City Council, our community, and especially the hard working men and women of the NOPD for their continued support as we transform our department and our service to this great city,” Superintendent Serpas stated.

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Officer Shereese Harper