Michelle Woodfork, the veteran of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) who made history as its first female leader, has announced her retirement.
Woodfork, who served as interim chief since late 2022, will step down from her position on March 1, marking the end of a distinguished 33-year career in law enforcement.
In a statement released recently, Woodfork expressed gratitude toward her colleagues at NOPD, acknowledging their dedication to protecting and serving the citizens of New Orleans.
“It is with the hard work and dedication of these public servants that New Orleans is a safer city. I am incredibly thankful for all the encouragement and support from the amazing citizens of New Orleans. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve each of you,” she said, reflecting on her tenure as interim chief.
During her 10-month leadership, the 53-year-old law enforcement veteran witnessed a notable decline in violent crime in the city.
Under her watch, homicides decreased by 27% by the end of 2023, a significant achievement in the face of a three-year surge in violent crime.
Woodfork attributed this success to her strategy of targeting illegal guns on the streets of New Orleans.
“Under her leadership, we started to see the violent crime rate reduced. I attribute that to some of the strategies she employed,” said Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche.
The MCC is a non-profit criminal justice watchdog group.
Her tenure also saw significant structural changes within NOPD, including the addition of 104 police recruits and 107 civilian employees.
Woodfork said that the changes were aimed at promoting sustainable reform and enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency within the department.
Woodfork’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career. Her swift rise through the ranks, from a promotion to captain to interim chief in just two years, followed in the footsteps of her father, Richard Woodfork, and her uncle, Warren Woodfork, the NOPD’s first Black superintendent.
A native of New Orleans East, Woodfork’s ties to the community run deep.
She began her career in the 7th District, where she was honored for her heroic efforts in saving a man’s life on the Paris Road Bridge.
Over the years, she served in various roles within the department, including the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse unit and the alternative police response unit.
Woodfork also faced adversity during her career. In 2017, she was injured while on duty during the Krewe of Endymion parade when a drunk driver struck her, breaking her leg.
However, after making a full recovery, Woodfork returned to work and continued to excel in her career, eventually rising to the rank of captain before being named interim chief.
The current permanent chief of the department, Anne Kirkpatrick, was tapped by the City Council, leaving Woodfork in the role of deputy chief – her last role before her retirement.
Kirkpatrick was chosen following a national search by the International Association of Chiefs of Police based in D.C.
As she embarks on the next chapter of her life, Woodfork plans to focus on her family, particularly her son’s education, and spend time with her parents.
She hopes that her legacy as the first female interim chief of NOPD will inspire future generations of law enforcement officers.
A retirement party in honor of Michelle Woodfork is scheduled to take place on March 8 at Gallier Hall, celebrating her decades of service and leadership within the NOPD.
