New Orleans, La. (January 21, 2010) – Councilmember Stacy Head and Safe Streets will host a community outreach hearing for the Independent Police Monitor.  The event will take place at the Dryades YMCA, located at 2220 O. C. Haley Boulevard on January 21, 2010 from 6-8 p.m.

Holly Wiseman, Deputy Independent Police Monitor (IPM), will discuss the purpose and structure of the IPM Office and will report on the Office’s activities during its first quarter of operations.  The Deputy IPM will solicit information and feedback from the public regarding police operations in their district and their concerns with the IPM. “The purpose is more for the IPM to listen than to inform,” said Ms. Wiseman.

Residents are encouraged to attend to hear about how the new Independent Police Monitor will work to ensure public safety and police integrity.

The Independent Police Monitor, part of the Office of the Inspector General:

• Monitors the process by which the NOPD investigates allegations of misconduct by its staff.  It does not itself investigate individual allegations of misconduct by NOPD but reviews completed NOPD investigations in order to report publicly on their fairness, thoroughness and timeliness.
• It collects and analyzes data about complaints and police operations in order to identify problem areas and their root causes.  It provides these reports to the NOPD and to the pubic.