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Mayor LaToya Cantrell today swore in Shaun Ferguson as the new Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) in a ceremony in front of Gallier Hall. Supt. Ferguson succeeded Supt. Michael Harrison.

“We are going to keep our commitment and our dedication to our citizens as we press forward to make this the best police department in the United States,” Supt. Ferguson told the NOPD. “To our citizens: We are in this together. We could not be here without you, and I thank you for everything that you have done thus far to support us, and we will continue this journey together to make this the best city in the United States of America.”

Before the ceremony, Mayor Cantrell joined Harrison for a ceremonial “final inspection” of the NOPD officers and commanders, accompanied by Harrison’s wife, C.C., as well as City of New Orleans public safety administrators.

Students from Landry-Walker High School’s marching band performed at the ceremony. Supt. Ferguson attended the former O. Perry Walker High School. The new superintendent’s son, Shaun Ferguson, Jr., held the Bible for the swearing-in.

An informal reception followed inside Gallier Hall.

Supt. Ferguson previously served as Commander of NOPD’s Educational and Training Division, which oversees the police academy. Before that he served as a Commander at the 4th and 2nd districts, respectively.