Port NOLA Names Montroll Harbor Police Chief

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has named Assistant Chief Melanie Montroll as Chief of its Harbor Police Department (HPD), following a rigorous national search that included a number of highly qualified candidates. She is a 21-year veteran of the force and will serve as the department’s first woman Chief of Police. Montroll succeeds Chief Robert Hecker, who will retire after having led HPD for more than 26 years.

“The Port, our tenants and the region rely on our strong, ethical, and professional Harbor Police Department,” said Brandy D. Christian, Port NOLA President and CEO. “Assistant Chief Montroll has progressed through the leadership ranks of HPD and the law enforcement community due to her work ethic, integrity and commitment to the community and the maritime industry. Montroll brings the experience and leadership qualities necessary to accomplish her goals of recruiting, retaining and continuing to train an exemplary and progressive law enforcement agency uniquely specialized in maritime and homeland security.”

Montroll has served as HPD’s Assistant Chief since 2017. She is a second-generation police officer, following in the footsteps of her father who also served with Port NOLA HPD. Over the course of her career, Montroll’s progression has included Captain of all Platoons, Commander of the Criminal Investigations and Internal Affairs Division, Director of Training, Academy Director and Commander of the Marine Division and day to day operations. Since her graduation from the Harbor Police Department Police Academy, she has been regularly recognized for her leadership skills and steadily progressed through the ranks, becoming Corporal in 2003, Sergeant in 2008, and Lieutenant in 2015.

https://www.marinelink.com/news/port-nola-names-montroll-harbor-police-495016