Results announced today from the New Orleans Crime Coalition (NOCC)’s regular survey show that public satisfaction with the NOPD increased to 55 percent, a four-point bump compared to results of the 2017 survey.

The NOCC survey, its 14th since 2009, measures public perception of police performance in providing for the safety of residents of New Orleans. The study is a randomized, representative, independent survey designed to track trends over time in how New Orleans residents view the New Orleans Police Department. The current survey was conducted from September 4-6, 2018.

“It’s important for us to have partners in the community like the New Orleans Crime Coalition to provide the NOPD with important information about how the citizens of New Orleans feel about their police department,” Superintendent Michael Harrison said. “Improving our services and meeting the needs of all our residents remains a top priority of mine, as it is for Mayor LaToya Cantrell. We must all work together to build a safer New Orleans.”  

In addition to the increase in overall satisfaction, the survey also saw numerous increases in public satisfaction from August 2017 to September 2018 with the NOPD in more detailed categories. For example, the survey shows that satisfaction with respondents who feel safe in their own neighborhood increased to an impressive 83 percent, one of the highest rates in this category since the survey began.

Also impressive, 87 percent of adults polled who had contact with an NOPD officer said the officer was pleasant and courteous – which is an increase of eight points since last year and 10 points above the four-year average.

Numbers at the district level have also shown marked improvement. In the Seventh District, which encompasses New Orleans East, an upward trend continued in overall satisfaction increasing another twelve points in 2018, to 73 percent, by far one of the highest rates since the inception of the survey. The Sixth District - which includes the Central City, Garden District and the Irish Channel areas - also saw impressive gains in overall satisfaction, increasing 26 points from the previous year to 64 percent.

When it comes to how the NOPD is addressing violent crime, those polled gave the department a 47percent approval rating, an increase of eight points compared to 2017, and adults who are unsatisfied decreased by five points during the same period to 41 percent. Citizen satisfaction with efforts to address property crimes also saw an increase, now at 54 percent.

Loyola University’s Dr. Michael Cowan, chairman of the Crime Coalition, said that he feels the results likely reflect continued improvement in officer training and supervision, resulting from requirements of the Consent Decree under which NOPD operates.

“Since our last survey in September 2017, overall citizen satisfaction is up and respondents’ feelings towards NOPD are increasingly positive.” said Cowan. “According to the survey, respondents also feel NOPD is doing a better job addressing violent crime.”

The full survey may be found at www.crimecoalitionnola.com.