OUR MISSION:          

The Foundation impacts safety and justice in New Orleans

and facilitates improvements and reforms throughout the criminal justice system. 

WELCOME TO THE NEW ORLEANS POLICE AND JUSTICE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE

                                  THE NOPJF WELCOMES NEW CEO MELANIE A. TALIA

Melanie A. Talia is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. She directs the Foundation in its ongoing role as a principal fiduciary agent, negotiator and advisor to all members of the criminal justice system in Orleans Parish.

Prior to joining the NOPJF, Ms. Talia was an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans Parish for 17 years where she prosecuted capital cases and other violent crimes. As Chief of the Screening Division she managed undercover investigations, conducted joint investigations with the United States Attorney’s Office and advised the Grand Jury, New Orleans Police Department and staff attorneys on legal matters. As Chief of the Economic Crime Unit Ms. Talia reviewed and prosecuted “white collar crimes” including insurance fraud and tax evasion. Ms. Talia was recognized as Prosecutor of the Year by Victims and Citizens Against Crime for her prosecution of misconduct by public officials.

Ms. Talia is a native of New Orleans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola School of Law. She is a faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, an adjunct faculty member of Tulane University School of Law and a member of the New Orleans Leadership Council for the Louisiana Center for Women and Government. Ms. Talia was appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Council Against Domestic Violence in 1995 and continues to be an outspoken advocate to stop family violence.

A NOTE FROM THE NOPJF:

Since our inception in 1995, the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation has grown and evolved to fit the needs of the criminal justice system and the community. Because of our rapid growth and taking on many new areas of responsibility, we feel that it is important to inform the community of where we are and what we are doing through this website. We want to shine a light on the innovative projects and initiatives being implemented throughout the justice system, because so often all we here on the news is negative. We also want to share with you the collaborative projects we are sponsoring in the community on the prevention side- because we realize that the police alone will never solve our crime problem- it takes the whole community. Finally, we want to inform you of the key needs of the criminal justice system moving forward. Most of all, we want you to be involved and feel a part of our efforts, because without your support the remarkable achievements we have made over the last years would not have been possible. The NOPJF’s mission is to make New Orleans a safer place to work, live and visit. To achieve that mission, we all must “get behind the badge” and be a part of the fight against crime. Thank you for your past and continued support.