Sheriff Susan Hutson
Sheriff of Orleans Parish • Fmr Independent Police Monitor • @EmergeLouisiana • @TulaneLaw • DogMom
Good Evening
This evening I am addressing you – the community – as your Sheriff to share the truth about what has been going on at the Orleans Justice Center.
It has been just a little over 100 days since I took office – that’s a little more than three months. During that time, we have been faced with just everything you can imagine – but I have remained true to my commitment to you during the campaign: to put the safety of both staff and residents first, to enact the progressive changes you said you wanted to see, and to be transparent and accountable.
I want to talk with you about what happened this past weekend. I know there are many rumors and false statements online and across social media – but I must correct what false information is circulating.
On Friday, 44 residents of a pod that housed those who needed the highest level of security decided to not comply with orders to lockdown and, instead, barricaded themselves in their pod and refused to remove the barricades and follow instructions.
Every opportunity was given to residents to comply, we offered them many concessions during the negotiation process – but they would not accept any of the resolutions we offered. De-escalation is apart of the best practices in situations like we had this weekend.
• Water was shut-off after they began to intentionally flood their pod. However, the water fountain remained on in the exterior yard and they all had access to and accessed water.
• Additionally, food, more water, and medication were offered – yet, the residents refused it.
• There were two television in their pod, but they broke one – deciding to use its parts for other things.
• There is no limit on the number of books they have access to, despite what was written in the letter – a letter we released to be transparent about what was going on.
• Toiletries were provided – in fact, that’s how they were able to mix the soap they had with water to make the floors slippery.
We conducted an extensive review of all grievances filed and there were ZERO filed for any of the issues they raised in their letter. But, if they had been – they would have been addressed. I personally reply to grievances and direct my staff to address concerns when they are raised.
As a last resort, we conducted a joint operation with the Department of Corrections, still using only the minimalist amount of force necessary to regain control of the pod. During that time, 2 flash bangs, 6 beanbag rounds, and 1 sting ball – all of which are less lethal were used by DOC and once entry was made, OPSO personnel cuffed and removed all residents from the pod. Cameras in the pods recorded some self-inflicted wounds of residents for which they later requested medical attention.
Medical attention was provided to all residents. One person was routed to the hospital to treat his diabetes. 5 others were routed to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries which have not yet been confirmed.
While we don’t believe that any of the residents suffered injuries because of our decision to enter the pod, we are awaiting more information from our medical providers which should be available tomorrow. But we know one of our staff members was injured during the clean-up process because the floors were slippery – which was intentionally caused by the residents – and this employee broke five ribs trying to enter the pod to deal with the broken sprinkler.
I assure you, every life is valuable to me. Just one month ago, I called all our deputies to the jail to secure it after we had two deaths in three days – that’s how much life means to me. And fair, humane treatment.
So these rumors going around that I am allowing people to be treated inhumanely are far, far from the truth.
Lastly, it is important to remember that while this incident has been a top news story, the jail is not out of control. We have 24 pods and over 950 residents in the jail, and the incident that occurred was on the one pod that housed residents who required the highest level of security. Remember, we have a plan to change the direction of this jail, but that will take time – and we always knew it would.
So, I will be speaking to you more directly in the future so you will hear directly from me, what is going on at the Sheriff’s Office, YOUR Sheriff’s Office. And remember, not everything you read or see on social media is accurate.
This system took decades to build up, and we are working hard to change it – that’s why you elected me – but just like these antiquated systems weren’t built over night, they won’t be changed in the blink of an eye either. And it has only been 106 days since I took office. We are working hard to implement those changes, and they will be implemented – it will take time.
I ask for your patience as we work hard to change this system, and I pledge to you to be transparent and accountable about what is going on – providing you the real truth.
Thank you and good night.
06/08/2022
The Transition Report is here!
The full Report is over 100 pages of recommendations from our community on how to fix our jail and make the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office a much better place for everyone.
The process to develop these recommendations was thoughtful and intense. A lot of in-depth research, honest discussions, and collaboration went into our six Working Groups whose focus areas were: Care, Custody, Control, Civil, Command, and Community.
Now, we will bring these recommendations to our OPSO family - now, they can finally be a part of this process to make OPSO all that our community knows it can.
This report is another reason we have
06/05/2022
We had a wonderful time worshipping today with my church family at Historic St. James AME Church.
It was great to fellowship with Pastor Demetrese Phillips, Bishop Stafford Wicker, Mr. Ronald Coleman (President of the New Orleans branch of the NAACP) and other church elders and friends.
05/23/2022
We are so proud of our four students who graduated from the Travis Hill School inside the Orleans Justice Center.
They all spoke of the goals they will achieve when they rejoin our community.
05/18/2022
This evening during roll call, I met one of our four-legged deputies! His name is “Igor” and he’s happy to serve and be a part of
05/13/2022
The Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which took place May 10, 2022, is dedicated to those officers who have given their lives in the service of their communities.
The 20th annual memorial service brought together officials from law enforcement agencies from around the state and surviving family members of officers who died in the line of duty.
At the candlelight vigil, Sheriff Susan Hutson honored the three OPSO officers lost to COVID-19 in 2020: Deputy Vanessa Mackey, Deputy Eric Frazier and Lt. Garry P. Duplessis, Jr.
The OPSO Honor Guard also presented the OPSO colors.
05/11/2022
A Message from Sheriff Hutson’s Transition Team:
Sheriff Hutson has been hard at work for the past 10 days. The Transition team worked together for several weeks to develop an Executive Summary in preparation of the final Transition Report.
Sheriff Hutson and her Administration will be using the summary as they make additional assessments during the initial weeks of her administration.
The full Transition Report scheduled to be released in a few weeks.
You can download the report at:
www.sheriffelectsusan.com
05/09/2022
What an end to a very filled first full week.
We closed this week just as we began it; by spending time in & with our community. It was truly wonderful to see and meet so many people today on the final day of
It was a special honor to meet Coach Willie Green of our coming off of their remarkable season.
There’s a new sheriff in town!
Thank you so much again New Orleans! We will work together to create a safer environment for everyone!
There’s no place like New Orleans⚜️🎊
I am honored to be your Sheriff! And I look forward to connecting and improving our community.
It was a great visiting the staff at Orleans Parish Sheriff office. I’m excited about the work ahead!
We’re going to do this together ⚜️
05/02/2022
Today, we kicked off our Inauguration Events with an Interfaith Service at Xavier University. Clergy and Practitioners from the diverse faiths that make up our community joined together to offer prayers and petitions for our Administration and City.
Special thanks to Pastor Eileen Lumar-Johnson, Imam Rafeeq Nu’Man of Masjid Rahim, Rabbi Katie Bauman of Touro Synagogue, Rev: Michael B. Raymond of Shiloh Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, Rev. Paul Beedle of First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, Rev. Demetrese Phillips of Historic St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, Elder Cedric Wilson of Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, Mother Jane-Allison Wiggin of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Alison McCary, Karron Williams, Kumbuka African Dance and Drum Collective, and Joseph Knox and the Hope Gospel Ensemble.
04/29/2022
For the past two months, the members of our six Working Groups have invested their time and talents to develop a series of recommendations to make a progressive change at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office. They are everyday people who have experience and expertise, and understand our community's needs. I am grateful they are committed to continuing to work hard with me.
04/28/2022
Here are many of the members of our six Working Groups. I am extremely humbled and proud to have them doing this work with me. Together, we will make the changes we want to see in our community.
04/26/2022
Over the past two months, our six Working Groups have been developing a series of policy recommendations and reforms to achieve our community's goal of making a progressive change in the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. To learn more about each, (1) Care, (2) Custody, (3) Control, (4) Command, (5) Community, and (6) Civil, please swipe left or click through for a description.
04/20/2022
I’m honored to have these leaders on board as Co-Chairs of our Transition Working Groups. For several weeks, these leaders have worked with a team of community members and advisors to provide my incoming administration with a robust set of policy recommendations in six areas: Care, Custody, Control, Civil, Community, and Command.
04/18/2022
I am proud to announce my Transition Leadership Team. Over the past few months, we have been working hard to hit the ground running on my first day in office. We have also assembled a diverse group of community members to develop a robust set of policy recommendations that will bring progressive change to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.
We are building a system that prioritizes people, public safety, equity, and justice.
I'm forever thankful to have each of these leaders on board to aid the transition process.
04/18/2022
Today is the last day to take our community input survey!
Please take some time to click the link in my bio and take our survey. We value your thoughts and concerns.
04/17/2022
I had a great time in the Easter worship service with the Second Free Mission Baptist Church
Thanks to the Pastor, Dr. Warren J. Ray, Jr. and all the members for always making me feel welcome.
Happy Easter everyone!
04/17/2022
Easter is the time to rejoice and be thankful for the gift of life, love, and joy.
Have a Happy Easter!🐣
We are building a state-of-the-art system that prioritizes people, public safety, equity, and justice. I’m committed to helping our neighbors in custody do better and adequately support our hardworking staff by paying them, respecting, training, and giving them the tools and support they need. And most importantly, we will listen to the needs of the community. Your values and priorities are important.
Please visit sheriffelectsusan.com and take the survey.
I look forward to receiving your feedback and serving you as Sheriff of Orleans Parish.
Sheriff-Elect Susan Hutson
04/12/2022
I’ve promised many changes, and one of them is to listen to the community’s vision for the Sheriff’s office. I am hard at work with my Transition Team to hit the ground running on my first day in office. We have created a survey and hope you will take some time to share your thoughts with us. The purpose of this survey is to better understand from the community what your values and priorities are.
Visit sheriffelectsusan.com
04/12/2022
Albie has been with me through it all! Here’s to many more years to come!!
04/08/2022
It’s been confirmed!
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the 1st Black Woman in HISTORY to serve as Supreme Court Justice! ⚖️
Truly a historical, and beautiful day for America!!
04/06/2022
Congratulations to my dear friend Daphne Cross whose academic work earned her the honor of being on the Dean’s List at Southern University at New Orleans
The Hon. Oliver Thomas was the Keynote Speaker.
03/19/2022
We had a great time collaborating with federal and state law enforcement leaders and policymakers from across the nation at the 2022 CEO Symposium of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives - NOBLE.
03/16/2022
We sat down with LBJ to discuss our transition since Election Day and to provide updates to the public.
You can check it out here and the full interview on the WGNO website!
02/28/2022
What a great night celebrating Mardi Gras 2022 with the Krewe of Bacchus 💜💚💛
It was really good to celebrate with Sheriff Joseph Lopinto, Judge Nandi F. Campbell, members of the community and so many hard-working dedicated law enforcement officers and deputies.
Thanks for all you do to keep Mardi Gras safe. 💙
Wow!
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