NEW ORLEANS CHIEF BRINGS IMPRESSIVE RECORD
ATLANTA -- Mayor Shirley Franklin, joined by Council President Cathy Woolard and members of the Atlanta City Council, today announced that Richard Pennington is the nominee for the next Police Chief of Atlanta. Pennington has been the police chief of New Orleans since 1994, where he is credited with leading a major overhaul of that department.
Richard J. Pennington, regarded as one of the top law enforcement officers in America, stood with his wife and city officials for the announcement. Mayor Franklin says, “I believe I have found the best police chief in America. I am impressed with his integrity, his record, and his leadership. He will bring a commitment and knowledge of law enforcement to our department that is very exciting. The City Council and I welcome him to Atlanta.”
Pennington is a 30 veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. and the New Orleans Police Department. As the Chief in New Orleans, Pennington reorganized the department to address corruption problems by creating the Public Integrity Division. Since the Division began its operation, about 350 police officers have been suspended, arrested and/or terminated from the force. In addition an Early Warning system was created to identify police misconduct and excessive force.
In June 1997, the department was completely restructured by decentralizing all enforcement and investigative functions. District commanders were held accountable for reducing crime in their areas utilizing the Computer Statistics (ComStat Model), a computer statistics program that allows police officers to focus their attention on prevention while improving their response to crimes. As a result of the new measure, the murder rate dropped 60% since 1994.
Franklin also noted that Pennington implemented a successful Community Policing program, which reduced the violent crime in Public Housing by 82% since 1995, and has become a model for the entire nation.
In accepting the appointment, Pennington said, “This opportunity is the right one to make me leave a city I said I would never leave. I am extremely excited about being a part of this great city and I look forward to working with all the citizens of Atlanta to truly make this department the best in the nation. I also look forward to the challenges of addressing employee morale, introducing new approaches to policing through technology, and improving the overall image of the department.”
Mayor Franklin thanked the citizen-led search committee, comprised of Lawrence Ashe, Jocelyn Hunter, Maritza Soto Keen, and State Representative Kasim Reed for their dedication and success. She also acknowledged the leadership of two members of Spencer Stuart’s team in Atlanta, Sam Pettway and Anne Swartz, who consulted with numerous local, state and federal law enforcement officials in the creation of the candidate pool and who advised the search committee throughout its deliberations.
As the Co-Chair of the Transition Team and Sheriff for Fulton County, Sheriff Jackie Barrett states, “I have had the opportunity to know Chief Pennington for 15 years. I welcome this opportunity to work with him as he brings his law enforcement experience from New Orleans and Washington to serve the Atlanta community.”
President Cathy Woolard said, “I commend the Mayor for the careful, thoughtful manner in which she conducted the search for Atlanta’s new chief of police. We’ve taken a long time to find you. I look forward to hearing more about your experience and ideas during your confirmation interviews with the Council and to welcoming you and your family to Atlanta in the very near future.”
Councilmember Ceasar Mitchell, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, added, “We expect the recommendation to be presented to members of the Public Safety Committee the week of June 10th. Should it pass committee, it will go to the full council on June 17th.”