History

1800

1896

The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans is created by Act 70 of the Louisiana Legislature.

1900

1900

Policing authority is granted to the Board of Commissioners by Act 36 of the Louisiana Legislature.

1919

The various departments of the Port’s police force are combined under the one division of the Docks Department to form the Harbor Police Department. Prior to this unification, the Port’s police force was divided into several units under various departments at the Port. At one time, the Port paid the New Orleans Police Department an annual sum of $12,500 to police the docks.

1920

Louisiana Legislative Act 101 grants full policing powers to HPD.

1943

The Louisiana State Merit System of Civil Service becomes operative and the Board of Commissioners place the members of HPD under Civil Service.

1947

HPD names its first Chief of Police, Chief L.H. Deutschmann.

1956

The department adds patrol and rescue boats. The vessels remain in service today for rescue missions, enforcement of Louisiana’s fishing and shrimping laws, as well as homeland security patrols.

1970

HPD becomes part of the Louisiana State Police Computer System. This system links the department to other states for motor vehicle information and is also linked to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center computer network. The system allows instantaneous access to warrants, criminal history and law enforcement information on a national and international level.

1970

The HPD Criminal Investigations Division is established.

1973

HPD appoints Edwin G. Pritchard, Jr. as Chief of Police.

1974

The Harbor Police Academy is created and granted Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) accreditation as a certified basic training academy for law enforcement officers. The Harbor Police Academy is one of 22 POST certified academies in the State of Louisiana. In addition to HPD recruits, the academy trains recruits for the Orleans Levee Board, Crescent City Connection, St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, other Louisiana Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments as well as officers from universities and colleges in the metropolitan New Orleans area.

1977

HPD becomes mobilized with officers patrolling their assigned areas in police vehicles, covered scooters, bicycles and patrol boats.

1977

HPD appoints Jimmy J. Jones as Chief of Police.

1978

HPD appoints Joseph S. Cannatella, Jr. as Chief of Police.

1985

HPD appoints Archie T. Ben as Chief of Police.

1994

HPD appoints Major Malcolm McGee as Interim Police Chief.

1995

HPD appoints Robert S. Hecker as Chief of Police.

2000

2017

The HPD Bicycle Patrol begins on May 10, 2017. The designated patrol area is from Henderson to Governor Nichols.