NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Police Department could be on the eve of emerging from the federal consent decree.A U.S. District Court judge will announce a decision Tuesday on whether the NOPD is ready to have less oversight. During a nearly four-hour hearing, Judge Morgan heard from the NOPD, the Department of Justice and federal monitor.All parties asked that the judge grant the motion to begin the sustainment period, which is a two-year probationary period. That means the NOPD will still have to prove substantial compliance with the agreement, but the federal monitor's roles would be reduced. New Orleans Health Department launches map, Misoprostol access initiative The DOJ did, however, comment on the city’s latest motion that, with the Governor Jeff Landry’s approval, Attorney General Liz Murrill would represent the city in calling for an end to the consent decree. Council president JP Morrell released the following statement on the social platform X regarding the city’s motion: "The New Orleans Police Department is poised to enter the sustainment period of their consent decree, marking a positive and crucial step towards concluding a more than decade-long process. The Council remains committed to supporting the ongoing efforts of the NOPD to reach this milestone and urges against any adversarial actions that could hinder this progress. Friday’s 11th-hour legal maneuvering undermine a decade of work by the NOPD and needlessly politicize this important legal proceeding. The Charter requires, under Section 4-403, that any special counsel employed by the City must first be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Council. This provision exists to require transparency in the enrollment of outside counsel, pro bono or not, to represent the City of New Orleans in crucial litigation. Transparency and accountability are pillars of how to exit a consent decree, and these last-minute maneuvers undermine the work done over a decade to achieve constitutional policing in the City of New Orleans.” New Orleans City Councilmembers Just last month, the city and DOJ filed a joint motion to enter the sustainment period with the DOJ now calling that motion “moot.” $21M federal grant aims to restore rail service from New Orleans to Mobile Despite the about face, the DOJ still agreed the NOPD was ready for sustainment. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, along with Murrill and Landry, believe the consent decree is costing the city too much money, but according to Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche, that should not be a reason as to why the NOPD would get out from under the consent decree. “I think the tradeoff is, that if we're just going to make a decision based on the whims of the mayor, and the governor, and the attorney general, it may not be in the best interest of public safety or the people that live work and visit the City of New Orleans,” said Goyeneche.Goyeneche added that he believes the NOPD is ready for sustainment because the department has proven their compliance with its progress. Morgan will announce her ruling Tuesday at 9 a.m. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Louisiana Remembers Reggie Hunter Federal judge to rule on New Orleans Police Department consent decree sustainment Aneesah Morrow gets 23 points, 15 rebounds as undefeated No. 5 LSU beats Vanderbilt 83-77 New Orleans officers awarded for bravery during New Year's Day attack Jefferson Parish deputies investigate in-custody death