New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has gotten a reprieve — of sorts — from the consent decree process aimed at reforming the police department. But it’s just a temporary measure.
Mayor Landrieu initially called in the Justice Department days after taking office. He wanted help in reforming the troubled police department, but that process resulted in a consent decree he says the city can not afford.
Three judges at the Fifth District Court of Appeals granted a temporary stay.
The Justice Department has until Monday to answer the city’s argument that it’s unfair to hire a consent decree monitor while the entire plan is being appealed.
Federal judge Susie Morgan has consistently ruled the city must abide by the deal.
Last night the mayor said he was pleased with the appellate ruling. Landrieu says the city is already reforming police policies.
And he says the city can’t afford the plan he says was imposed by federal officials with yet another consent decree design to reform the jail.
