New Orleans Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu has taken the first step in addressing his top priority - making the city safe. He announced the formation of the New Orleans Police Department Task Force – the first of a series of topic-specific task forces as part of the Transition New Orleans effort.

The NOPD Task Force will initiate the national search for a new police chief who can effectively lead the New Orleans Police Department and reduce violent crime. Landrieu has chosen two respected New Orleanians to lead the task force. Dr. Norman Francis, President of Xavier University, and Nolan Rollins, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans will chair the diverse group of law enforcement professionals, criminal justice experts and community leaders.

“Our task force brings together New Orleans’ criminal justice leadership and community advocacy groups. The task force will also be assisted by a panel of National Technical Advisors that includes New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and former New Orleans and Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington,” said Landrieu.

"I am delighted by the commitment of leading national experts who have come forward to offer their talent and expertise to help New Orleans with the important task of appointing a new police chief," said Dr. Norman Francis, Co-Chair of the NOPD Task Force. "We are confident that these experts, who have dealt with many of the challenges we face today, will provide the technical advice and resources needed to recruit and recommend the best candidates for the job," Dr. Francis added.

“It speaks volumes about the Mayor-elect’s leadership that he has included outstanding local voices of excellence as part of the process. These representatives have been doing what they do best for a long time and can offer real remedies to moving the City forward. Their presence shows how inclusive and responsive the Mayor-elect will be in determining the critical position of who will lead the New Orleans Police Department,” said Mr. Nolan Rollins, Co-Chair of the NOPD Task Force.

The Transition New Orleans NOPD Task Force is comprised of the following people:

Co-chairs
Dr. Norman Francis, President, Xavier University
Mr. Nolan Rollins, President & C.E.O. Urban League of Greater New Orleans

Members

• Leon Cannizzaro, Jr., Orleans Parish District Attorney
• Ralph Capitelli, Capitelli and Wicker Law Firm
• Darlene Cusanza, Executive Director, Crimestoppers
• Mike Cowan, Institute for Ministry, Loyola University
• Lucas Diaz, Executive Director, Puentes New Orleans
• Colonel Michael Edmonson, Superintendent, Louisiana State Police
• Nick Felton, President, New Orleans Fire Fighters
• Marlin Gusman, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff
• Calvin Johnson, Former Chief Judge of the New Orleans Criminal Court
• Patricia Jones, Executive Director, Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association
• General Bennett Landreneau, National Guard Adjutant General for Louisiana
• Barbara Major, Community Organizer and Trainer
• Reverend John C Raphael, Jr., Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church
• Greg Rusovich, President & C.E.O., New Orleans Crime Coalition
• Phyllis Taylor, Chairman & President, Patrick F. Taylor Foundation

• Chief Bill Bratton, Former Police Chief of Los Angeles and New York City
• Lee Brown, Former Mayor and Police Chief of Houston
• Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, New York City Police Department
• Chief Richard Pennington, Former Police Chief of Atlanta
• Bob Stellingworth, Former President of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation
• Col. Henry Whitehorn, Police Chief of Shreveport
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)