New Orleans' inspector general blames a faulty New Orleans Police Department complaint system for stalling the promotion of captains and majors earlier this year as multiple investigations played out into alleged bias in the process.

"In this case, baseless allegations delayed promotions to crucial positions, leaving gaps in leadership during critical events, including a terrorist attack, the Super Bowl and Carnival season," Inspector General Ed Michel's office said in a letter Wednesday.

A key source for the allegations the IG's office found to be baseless was Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who declined to participate in the probe, the letter states.

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said it was the mayor's "opinions" about the final rankings that led her to pause the promotion process and

See Full Page