x
Breaking News
More () »

Previous complaints, discipline against Woodfork likely to be considered in NOPD search

Experts say a spotless record is rare in police work and that the nature and severity of complaints against an officer should be key considerations in hiring.

Katie Moore / WWL Louisiana Investigator

Play Video

Close Video

Published: 6:23 PM CST February 15, 2023
Updated: 6:23 PM CST February 15, 2023

The International Association of Chiefs of Police is expected to help New Orleans conduct a national search for a new police Superintendent and in doing so, will dig deep into the candidates’ employment histories, according to a news release issued by the Cantrell administration announcing the IACP agreement.

At the time she appointed Michelle Woodfork as Interim Superintendent, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said any national search should begin with Woodfork.

“It's a search with a real focus on leadership that we have within. I believe it one hundred percent that starts with Michelle Woodfork but also other men and women within our department that deserve fair considerations,” Cantrell said.

While a look at Woodfork’s 34-year, NOPD work history shows few administrative complaints against her in the past ten years, a search of civil service and court records revealed allegations of domestic violence that will likely be considered during the national search.

The allegations involved romantic relationships Woodfork had with fellow NOPD officers, and they date back 20 to 30 years.

Three complaints tied to those relationships resulted in suspensions for Woodfork after investigators found she lied to them. Throughout her career, she served 65 days in suspensions. Pay for 30 of those days was later returned to her after the Civil Service Commission overturned the punishment for one of the suspensions on appeal.

Criminal justice and policing experts said a spotless record is rare in police work and that the nature and severity of complaints against an officer should be key considerations in any hiring process.

“In law enforcement, because it's such a high profile, you know, position, you want to look at that and really do your due diligence in making sure, even if it was 20 years ago, you know, why did you do it? Did you learn from it? Because we've all done things that that we regret,” said Dillard University Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Dr. Ashraf Esmail.

Before You Leave, Check This Out