NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As Sheriff-elect Michelle Woodfork prepares to become Sheriff at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, she announced the launch of her Transition Team.

A ceremony will be held on March 10 at Southern University at New Orleans, with the theme “A New Era of Accountability.” There, Woodfork will outline her strategic framework to “guide the future of the OPSO.”

Woodfork won the election in Oct. 2025 against incumbent, Sheriff Susan Hutson, with 53% of the vote and no runoff.

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With 33 years of law enforcement leadership and public service to the role, Woodfork says she has built a career defined by results, reform and community trust.

In 2022, following the retirement of New Orleans Police Department Chief Shaun Ferguson, Woodfork became the first female Superintendent of the NOPD. During that time, the city reportedly saw a 25% violent crime decline, 23% drop in murders and a 45% reduction in carjackings.

She retired in 2024 and became Director of Forensics and Intelligence for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Under “A New Era of Accountability,” Woodfork and her team are reportedly developing a “forward-looking framework focused on:

Operational Excellence

Fiscal Responsibility

Workforce Development and Recruitment

Transparency and Public Trust

Meaningful, Sustainable Reform

Her team consists of:

Ayame Dinkler

Sean M. Bruno, CPA

Stephen Gelé

Chief Murphy J. Paul, Jr. (Ret.)

“The people of Orleans Parish voted for leadership that delivers results, demands accountability, and builds trust. Today marks the beginning of a new era for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.

We are assembling a team of proven professionals with expertise in public safety, finance, policy, and organizational leadership to ensure that on Day One, we are ready to serve with excellence and integrity.

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This transition is not just about changing leadership — it is about building systems that are transparent, fiscally responsible, and centered on the safety and dignity of every person in our care.

I am excited to introduce this exceptional team and to share the work already underway. Together, we will move OPSO forward with accountability, collaboration, and a clear commitment to the people of New Orleans.”

Woodfork is set to take office on May 4.

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