Serpas to retire from NOPD

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NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Advocate reports that NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas will retire.

Serpas, was sworn in to the position in May, 2010 under Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Murder, the most watched crime statistic in the city, has been on a downward trend under Serpas, however there have continued to be high-profile shootings that have brought the department under scrutiny. In addition, the NOPD has had a problem recruiting officers, the staffing at a several-year low.

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Ronal Serpas is out as police chief in New Orleans.

After four often-rocky years on the job, Serpas will announce his retirement as New Orleans police superintendent at a news conference today, according to a source with knowledge of his plans.

What Serpas plans to do next is unclear.

Lt. Michael Harrison, police commander of the 7th District, will serve as interim NOPD superintendent.

The announcement was sudden, but shouts for Serpas’ resignation punctuated much of his tenure. The loudest came from police officer groups embittered about several issues, including reforms to the off-duty detail system and a stiff disciplinary regime that led to the termination of scores of cops on grounds that many viewed as specious or arbitrary. Serpas, the chorus went, never had their backs.

As recently as last week, newly elected City Councilman Jason Williams suggested in a little-noticed web broadcast last week that at least five members of the council were prepared to terminate Serpas — a power bestowed by the city charter but never before exercised.

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