NOPD Second District Commander Darryl J. Albert (center) poses with family members and Mayor Mitch Landrieu for a photo after Albert's promotion Thursday. Landrieu called Albert a "superb" officer. "He's been a great captain, and he's going to be great for the Second District," Landrieu said. Albert's sister, Garmanne Mack, brought a photo to the ceremony of their mother, who passed away in Feburary.
Three ranking officers from Uptown-based NOPD districts were promoted to the new rank of commander Thursday in a ceremony touted by the department as a “new day in leadership.”
Capt. Darryl Albert of the NOPD Second District (which runs from Jefferson Parish to Louisiana Avenue) and Capt. Bob Bardy of the NOPD Sixth District (from Louisiana Avenue to the U.S. 90 overpass) will each remain in their respective positions, albeit with the direct accountability to NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas that comes with the new rank.
While the commanders will remain based in their districts, Albert said the new role will allow them greater flexibility in developing anti-crime strategies. “You’ll see some different crime-fighting techniques,” Albert said.
Commanders Jeff Walls (left) and Bob Bardy of the Sixth District congratulate one another on their promotions Thursday. Bardy will remain in the Sixth District, while Walls, his former lieutenant over investigations, will transfer out to lead the NOPD Crime Lab.
Lt. Jeff Walls, who as head of the Sixth District investigative unit was a second-in-command to Bardy, was also promoted to commander and will transfer out to lead the NOPD Crime Lab.
The trio were among 16 officers promoted to commander who will serve as Serpas’ inner circle. During the ceremony, Serpas said the 16 officers were the brightest and most motivated on the force, and that he has been intently watching them for traits of leadership to help “right the ship of state in New Orleans.”
“Today is an important day in the transformation of the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu during the ceremony. He added, “We have to take responsibility making these streets safe. … We are all at war to save the city of New Orleans.”
The NOPD divides the city geographically into eight police districts, four of which have received new commanders since Serpas’ arrival. Albert was the first, appointed to the Second District from the SWAT Team last June. The Algiers-based Fourth District received a new leader in the wake of the Henry Glover trial, and the Fifth and Seventh districts received new commanders Thursday.
Thank you SO much. Awesome picture and remarks.
How awesome! Congrats to my brother, Commander Darryl Albert – our late mother would be so very proud! Beautiful pic of my brother and family.