Mayor Marc H. Morial appointed Richard J.
Pennington Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department on
October 13, 1994. New Orleans Police Department
Mayor Marc H. Morial appointed Richard J.
Pennington Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department on
October 13, 1994.
He has been an active member in law enforcement for more than thirty years, starting his career with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in 1968. He served a variety of assignments in the department and retired as Chief of Operations.
As Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, while focusing on protecting and serving the citizens, one of his most challenging efforts was to reduce overall crime. After assessing the department, in January of 1995, he issued the Pennington Plan containing ten major elements regarding reform. His plan included the creation of the Public Integrity Division to root out internal corruption and established an early warning system to identify and monitor the behavior and conduct of police officers. New hiring standards were established for police recruits; the off-duty detail policy was revamped, and Alcoholic Beverage Outlet details were abolished. He implemented Community Policing in high crime public housing developments, creating a very effective partnership between police and the residents. A priority for the future is to have Neighborhood Policing throughout the city. In October, 1996 Pennington completely restructured the department by decentralizing all enforcement and investigative functions. He held Commanders accountable and implemented the Computer Statistics (COMSTAT) program. As a result of the new program, murder dropped by twenty-five percent and violent crime decreased by fifteen percent in 1997. The department developed an aggressive recruiting strategy to hire four hundred new recruits and revamped the department training programs. Chief Pennington was successful in spearheading a campaign to obtain the largest pay increase in the history of the department (12% to 62%). He has introduced the department to new technology by installing Mobile Data Terminals in patrol cars and a new Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS).
Chief Pennington served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam and honorably discharged to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from American University. He received a Masters Degree from the University of the District of Columbia. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and George Washington University's Executive Development Program, the F.B.I. National Executive Institute, and the Senior Executives Program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association, National Association of Police Community Relations and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
He has received numerous awards from citizens groups, federal agencies, civic organizations, religious and business community which include the Department of Justice Public Service Award (1995), Anti-Defamation League, A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award (1996), New Orleans Magazine, New Orleanian of the Year (1996), Mayors Community Service Award (1997), New Orleans Press Club, Headliner of the Year Award, New Orleans Tribute Magazine, Man of the Year (1997), Mardi Gras Krewe Bards of Bohemia, Great American Award (1997) Loyola University, Rev. Jacques E. Yenni Award (1997), Louisiana Civil Service League, Monte Lemann Award (1997), United States Attorney Public Service Award (1998).
On November 26, 2001 Superintendent Richard Pennington requested and was granted an unpaid leave of absence by Mayor Marc H. Morial. Pennington announced his candidacy to replace Mayor Morial, whose second term in office ends in May, 2002. On March 3, 2002 Richard Pennington returned to the Department as Superintendent of Police, after an unsuccessful finish in the mayor's race.
Some biographical info provided by NOPD Public Affairs Division.
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