New Orleans police superintendent Eddie Compass resigns

[ohio_liberal]

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- Police Superintendent Eddie Compass resigned Tuesday after four turbulent weeks in which the police force was hit by desertions and disorganization in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

"I served this department for 26 years and have taken it through some of the toughest times of its history. Every man in a leadership position must know when it's time to hand over the reins," Compass said at a news conference. "I'll be going on in another direction that God has for me."

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Neither Compass nor Mayor Ray Nagin would say whether Compass was pressured to leave.

"It's a sad day in the city of New Orleans when a hero makes a decision like this," said Nagin, who appointed Compass in mid-2002. "He leaves the department in pretty good shape and with a significant amount of leadership."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/28/chief.resigns.ap/index.html