The National Alliance of Resident Services in Affordable and Assisted Housing (NAR-SAAH) has named NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison as the 2016 "Police Superintendent of the Year." Chief Harrison accepted the award today (Sept. 23) at the NAR-SAAH 2016 National Resident Services and Resident Leaders’ Conference happening in New Orleans this week.

NAR-SAAH President Samuel Little said Chief Harrison’s work to improve the relationship between the NOPD and the New Orleans community stood out to the organization.

“We’ve looked around the country at police departments and their relationship with public housing communities and low-income communities in general and have tried to determine great examples of models that we would like to see replicated elsewhere in the country,” said Little. “Chief Harrison was selected because of the incredibly effective work he does and the ability to sustain good positive relationships throughout the year with a diversity of individuals across the city.”

NAR-SAAH provides technical assistance to employees of Resident Services and members of Resident Councils by helping to shape national housing policy, expand partnerships with community agencies, leverage funds to support resident programs, and speak on matters impacted by changing economic conditions and shifting political priorities.