The New Orleans Police Department held a virtual public meeting Tuesday to discuss a controversial plan that will let certain non-police city government workers issue municipal court citations and fines, just as police officers do.The plan won city council approval in mid-December. Supporters argue it will bolster enforcement against so-called “quality of life” offenses — including littering, illegal dumping, public obstruction and spitting on sidewalks — so NOPD officers can focus on enforcing criminal actions. “This will increase quality of life and our public health enforcement efforts without creating additional staffing burdens on the New Orleans Police Department.” NOPD deputy superintendent Otha Sandifer said.The move lets the NOPD deputize employees from the Department of Public Works, the Department of Sanitation, the Ground Transportation Bureau, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the city’s pest control board. Deputized workers must undergo background checks, NOPD-based training, and annual reviews. They would not be able to carry guns or make arrests.”After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the NOPD heard the community call for them to think critically about ways to be able to reduce or eliminate interactions that may be considered unnecessary,” said Stella Cziment, the city’s acting independent police monitor. “The department can reduce its footprint in the community.”But the plan remains controversial. Some opponents worry deputized city workers will abuse their power. Other critics doubt the effectiveness of non-officers doing what has historically been an officer’s job.”Code enforcement by deputized civilians will not be the answer,” Police Association of New Orleans President Mike Glasser told WDSU. “It will cause more problems with oversight and management than it could ever possibly solve.”City Council President Helena Moreno has also voiced concerns. She was the only council member who voted against the proposal earlier this month.“In concept, we would all agree we need more enforcement when it comes to quality of life issues,” Moreno said in an interview Tuesday. “But as usual, the devil is in the details, and I’m still waiting for the details.””What the training looks like and what that model looks like, that’s more my concern, because I have not seen it developed yet,” she added.An NOPD spokesperson told WDSU Tuesday the department’s training division is still crafting lesson plans, which would still be subject to council approval.”I hope as we learn more about how this would roll out, my questions will be answered,” Moreno said. “Then I can change my position.”
The New Orleans Police Department held a virtual public meeting Tuesday to discuss a controversial plan that will let certain non-police city government workers issue municipal court citations and fines, just as police officers do.
The plan won city council approval in mid-December. Supporters argue it will bolster enforcement against so-called “quality of life” offenses — including littering, illegal dumping, public obstruction and spitting on sidewalks — so NOPD officers can focus on enforcing criminal actions.
“This will increase quality of life and our public health enforcement efforts without creating additional staffing burdens on the New Orleans Police Department.” NOPD deputy superintendent Otha Sandifer said.
The move lets the NOPD deputize employees from the Department of Public Works, the Department of Sanitation, the Ground Transportation Bureau, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the city’s pest control board. Deputized workers must undergo background checks, NOPD-based training, and annual reviews. They would not be able to carry guns or make arrests.
“After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the NOPD heard the community call for them to think critically about ways to be able to reduce or eliminate interactions that may be considered unnecessary,” said Stella Cziment, the city’s acting independent police monitor. “The department can reduce its footprint in the community.”
But the plan remains controversial. Some opponents worry deputized city workers will abuse their power. Other critics doubt the effectiveness of non-officers doing what has historically been an officer’s job.
“Code enforcement by deputized civilians will not be the answer,” Police Association of New Orleans President Mike Glasser told WDSU. “It will cause more problems with oversight and management than it could ever possibly solve.”
City Council President Helena Moreno has also voiced concerns. She was the only council member who voted against the proposal earlier this month.
“In concept, we would all agree we need more enforcement when it comes to quality of life issues,” Moreno said in an interview Tuesday. “But as usual, the devil is in the details, and I’m still waiting for the details.”
“What the training looks like and what that model looks like, that’s more my concern, because I have not seen it developed yet,” she added.
An NOPD spokesperson told WDSU Tuesday the department’s training division is still crafting lesson plans, which would still be subject to council approval.
“I hope as we learn more about how this would roll out, my questions will be answered,” Moreno said. “Then I can change my position.”
