The Civil Service Commission voted to open an investigation into the New Orleans Police Department’s handling of recent captain and major promotion lists and scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m. The action follows a petition from the Police Association of New Orleans (PANO) and the Black Organization of Police (BOP) alleging political interference after the city paused promotions from lists published this fall.

Petition counsel Eric Hessel said the promotional test was administered in July 2024, lists were published Sept. 23 and two days later the city rescinded CAO policy 143r. He said candidates who “studied for the test” and incurred time and expense were told by the superintendent the lists would not be used. “If that’s not political interference ... I don’t know what is,” Hessel said, urging an investigation and an injunction until the matter is resolved.

Several officers on the published lists described the personal and financial cost of preparing for promotion. Rebecca Gobert, who said she ranked second on the captain’s list, told the commission she spent about $1,000 on training and “hundreds of hours” preparing. “You pull the rug out from under us,” she said, describing the lack of written reasons and denied expectations of promotion.

City counsel William Goforth argued that the city’s pause does not, by itself, establish a constitutional or civil-service violation because no promotions or appointments have been made. He said the CAO notice rescinding the prior policy was intended to allow departments to develop department-specific promotion policies and that decisions about whether to fill or create positions are executive, business decisions for the appointing authority.

The commission debated timing and remedies, including whether extending the eligibility list (a three‑year extension under civil service rules) would alter injunctive relief. Petitioners warned that allowing the list to sit unused would damage morale and lead to attrition; city counsel said staff must be allowed to review processes and ensure fairness before promotions occur.

Commissioner (Speaker 2) moved to grant the petitioners’ investigation request and to schedule an evidentiary hearing; the motion was seconded and, after roll-call, carried (motion recorded as 2–1). That motion directed counsel for NOPD, PANO and BOP to work with commission counsel on a pretrial order listing issues, exhibits and witnesses. The commission also approved a separate motion to defer any relief to candidates on the July 16, 2024 eligible list pending completion of the investigation.

The commission concluded that it will develop a clear scope for the inquiry and return on the scheduled hearing date to receive testimony and exhibits. The motion language as read on the record set the hearing for Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m.; the commission instructed counsel to prepare a pretrial order and witness lists in advance.

Next steps: counsel for the parties and commission staff will confer on the pretrial order; the commission will hold the evidentiary hearing on the date set by the motion and receive sworn testimony and documentary evidence before deciding whether formal relief (including ordered promotions) is warranted.