New Orleans Top Cop Resigns

NEW ORLEANS -- Police Superintendent Eddie Compass resigned Tuesday after four turbulent weeks in which the police force was wracked by desertions and disorganization in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. As the city slipped into anarchy during the first few days after Katrina, the 1,700-member police department itself suffered a crisis. Many officers deserted their posts, and some were accused of joining in the looting that broke out. Two officers Compass described as friends committed suicide. Neither Compass nor Mayor Ray Nagin would say whether Compass was pressured to leave. Posted by Editor at September 28, 2005 06:40 AM