The New Orleans Police Department loses another top brass.
Capt. Darryl Albert, who most recently commanded the NOPD’s Special Operations Division before a January transfer to head the police academy, is leaving to become police chief in Montgomery, Ala.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed was expected to announce Albert’s hiring Monday afternoon.
“Commander Albert led units that reduced New Orleans’ murder rate while significantly reducing violent crime cases,” Reed said in a prepared statement. “He was instrumental in leading citywide preparedness, deployment and recovery efforts in the midst of Hurricane Katrina as well as other storm and emergency events.”
Reed said Albert’s selection came after a national search. Albert replaces Ernest Finley, who resigned last year.
A 30-year veteran of the NOPD, Albert was recently the subject of an internal review of allegations that he violated the department’s policy on sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation while overseeing the laboratory of the crime. A NOPD spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about the resolution of the allegations.
It was among several key leadership positions held by Albert, who twice served as deputy superintendent of the NOPD. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Southern University in New Orleans and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management from Concordia University, according to Reed’s office.
NOPD officials did not immediately confirm Albert’s departure, which follows that of other top brass under Superintendent Shaun Ferguson.
Former chief deputy John Thomas, left as second-in-command of the NOPD in December to become mayor LaToya Cantrell’s director of public safety and homeland security. A week later, Jeffrey Walls, former commander of the 8th District in the French Quarter, left to become police chief in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The NOPD has faced a slew of retirements and resignations at all levels in recent years, pushing officer numbers to their lowest level in decades amid a recent spike in crime violent.
