Federal Judge prepared to end NOPD consent decree

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A federal judge said she’s prepared to end the New Orleans Police Department Consent Decree, if all involved agree to it.

The consent decree was enacted in 2013 after the Department of Justice found patterns of corruption within the NOPD. It was enacted in an effort to improve the NOPD and to avoid a government takeover.

The city voluntarily entered the consent decree. When it began, the federal court appointed a monitor to oversee compliance, report any issues to the courts and track the NOPD’s progress.

In January, the judge handling the case allowed a two year “exit process,” to begin, because the NOPD had made substantial progress.

Judge Susie Morgan said she is ready to sign off on ending the consent decree once all parties involved, including the fifth circuit court of appeals, agrees to it.

A court hearing on the consent decree may occur as early as November.

The City and the NOPD put out a statement regarding the termination of the consent decree:

“On September 4, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the City of New Orleans filed an indicative ruling motion requesting the court dissolve the years long New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Consent Decree. Today, Judge Morgan stated in her order, if the parties file a joint motion for relief from the consent decree, the court will grant the joint motion. The City will be in discussion with DOJ regarding coordinating the filing of the joint motion to dismiss.  We look forward to the official termination of the Consent Decree.  We are proud of the accomplishments of the entire NOPD.”

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