The City of New Orleans, Ethics Review Board, is now accepting applications for appointment to the position of Independent Police Monitor.

Responsibilities. Under the authority established in the City Home Rule Charter, the OIPM shall monitor the New Orleans Police Department, particularly in the areas of: civilian and internally-generated complaints, internal investigations, discipline, uses of force, critical incidents and in-custody deaths. The Office of Independent Police Monitor shall also review and analyze the numbers and types of complaints; assess the quality and timeliness of New Orleans Police Department investigations; review the adequacy of data collection and analysis; review the New Orleans Police Department Public Integrity Bureau's policies, procedures, and resource needs; conduct risk management reviews; review the operations and effectiveness of New Orleans Police Department "early warning system"; review specific issues regarding supervision, training, and discipline; and conduct relevant pattern analysis. The City Code of Ordinances, Article XIV, Section 2-1121, sets forth additional responsibilities: Link to Code of Ordinances.

Qualifications. The independent police monitor shall be an attorney with substantial experience in criminal, civil rights, and/or labor law, or corporate and/or governmental investigations; or an individual with at least five years' experience in law enforcement oversight, preferably with a graduate degree. Knowledge of law enforcement, particularly of internal investigations of wrongdoing and uses of force, is essential. The monitor shall possess impeccable integrity, sound judgment, and an ability to relate effectively with all those who have a stake in law enforcement including, but not limited to, residents of and visitors to New Orleans, the police department, other law enforcement agencies, and relevant parts of city government. The monitor shall possess an understanding of the city's ethnic diversity, cultural traditions, and socio-economic situation.

Term of office. The independent police monitor shall be appointed on or after April 11, 2026, for a term of four years. The independent police monitor may be reappointed to subsequent four-year terms at the discretion of the ethics review board.

Compensation. The compensation for the independent police monitor shall be established by the Ethics Review Board at appointment. The range of compensation is $150,000 to $180,000.