NOPD Chief Calls For Civil Service Reorganization

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas has asked the city's Civil Service Commission to allow him to dramatically reorganize the senior leadership positions within the department.

Serpas wants to be able to appoint a new police colonel to oversee the major divisions of the department.

Under the requested change, police colonels — unlike majors, captains and lieutenants who are civil service protected employees — will be appointed and retained based upon their knowledge and demonstrated performance.

Serpas told the commission on Monday that the change would allow for a better evaluation of performance.