Policing the Big Easy with Chief Anne Kirkpatrick

It takes a certain kind of leader to see a city deemed the country's "murder capital" and actually want to take on that problem. Chief Ann Kirkpatrick has spent 44 years working in some of the most challenging departments in the country. She's led five police departments, worked in cities from Memphis to Chicago to Oakland, and built a reputation as someone brought in when an agency needs to change direction. Three years ago, she came to New Orleans, my hometown, and took on the almost impossible task of turning things around. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to turn strategy into results, how to communicate honestly about crime trends without being defensive, and where technology fits into policing when the guardrails aren't always able to keep up the pace. Finally, I ask Chief Kirkpatrick the hardest question I could think of – is Mardi Gras a fun or terrifying time to be the Chief of Police in the City of New Orleans. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is a nationally respected law enforcement leader with more than 43 years of experience in policing, including 23 years as a police chief, and in 2023 became the first woman to permanently lead the New Orleans Police Department. Her career has been defined by reform-minded leadership, constitutional policing, and an emphasis on integrity and accountability. Today, she is focused on reducing crime, strengthening recruitment and community trust, and building a culture of excellence within NOPD.