NEW ORLEANS — Police officials announced a slew of promotions and changes to the NOPD's chain of command on Friday, signaling the agency is winding down its 2012 consent decree and working toward maintaining those federally-mandated standards.
NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson announced 13 changes to leadership positions in total, most notably the re-institution of a Chief Deputy Superintendent -- a clear second-in-command under Ferguson.
That position will be filled by former Field Operations Bureau chief, Paul Noel, adding a third star to his lapel. Noel has headed field operations for the past three years.
Ferguson also bid good-bye to two civilian deputy chiefs who helped guide the department through the federal consent decree. Danny Murphy and Eric Melancon will be going to Baltimore to join former Superintendent Michael Harrison to help that city with its consent decree.
"I think this is an opportunity for me to implement my new vision for the New Orleans Police Department. I've concluded my assessment at every level. I've also prepared to restructure the department as I see and firmly believe will lead us into the future," Ferguson said.
Among the other major moves by Ferguson: Two high-profile district commanders will be moving to new positions. Nick Gernon is moving out of the Eighth District to be replaced by Lt. Octavio Baldassaro. Jennifer Dupre is out as Second District commander, replaced by former Investigations Division commander Doug Eckert.
See the full list of promotions and transfers below, via the NOPD:
1. Dante Bidwell, formerly the NOPD Compliance Manager, steps into Eric Melancon's position of Deputy Chief of Staff. Bidwell is moving from the position of Compliance Manager.
2. Deputy Chief Paul Noel becomes Chief Deputy Superintendent, "second in command." He had been serving as deputy chief of the Field Operations Bureau. Before that, he was commander of the Second District.
3. Daniel Murphy's position as deputy chief will be filled by a "commissioned officer."
4. Commander Otha Sandifer will become the deputy chief of the new Professional Standards and Accountability Bureau, known as the Deputy Chief of Compliance. Sandifer was appointed Commander of the Compliance Bureau in 2016. Before coming to the compliance bureau, Sandifer was Commander of Academy from 2012 to 2013, Commander of First District from 2013 to 2015.
5. Lt. Sandra Contreras will be promoted to the rank of commander, to assume the role being vacated by the Sandifer’s promotion. Contreras, a 19-year NOPD veteran, moves over from her position as second in commander in the Third District. Before moving to the Third District, she was assigned to the Eighth District where she was second watch platoon lieutenant, quality of life sergeant, and platoon sergeant.
6. Regina Williams will be assuming command of the Criminal Investigations Division, moving over from the Public Integrity Bureau. She replaces commander Doug Eckert.
7. Commander Doug Eckert will move to the Second District, filling the top spot there. Eckert was Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division from 2015 until his appointment to the Second District. Prior to that, he ran the Crime Lab/Central Evidence and Property from 2014-2015. Eckert also ran the DIU in the Second and Fourth districts.
8. Taking Williams’ place will be Special Victims Section Commander Sabrina Richardson, who is moving to PIB. Prior to running the SVS, Richardson, an almost 20-year veteran, was second in command at the Investigative Support Bureau. Before that, she was served in the Recruitment Division and in the Management Services Bureau.
9. Commander Nicholas Gernon will be moving into the leadership role at the NOPD Crime Lab/Central Evidence and Property. Gernon is assuming that role as NOPD prepares to open its own lab, positioning the department to modernize its evidence analysis and maintenance operation, transforming it into a cutting edge facility. Before moving to the Eighth District, Gernon, a 17-year NOPD veteran, was assistant commander in the Sixth District, commander of the Homicide Unit, and a Homicide sergeant and detective.
10. Lt. Octavio Baldassaro, recipient of medal of merit and medal of commendation, will move into the top spot in the Eighth District. Baldassaro, a 21-year NOPD veteran, was most recently DIU Commander and second in command in the First District. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2015 and transferred back to the gang unit and major case narcotics, where a 2009 promotion to sergeant took him after seven years as a member of the SWAT team.
11. Sheila Celious will be promoted to lieutenant, becoming the assistant commander of the SVS.
12. Melvin Bush will be promoted to lieutenant, becoming the assistant commander of the First District.
13. John Castelin, Lamont Walker, and Gina Cousin will all receive promotions to the rank of Sergeant.