RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Since Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans, Police Superintendent      Edwin Compass has provided a public voice of authority for his city.  He      has comforted victims, challenged those he felt were up to no good,      criticized fellow officers accused of abandoning their posts, and      traveled about the city with a steady stream of reporters in tow.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: So it was a surprise to hear Superintendent Compass make this      announcement yesterday.</s>Superintendent EDWIN COMPASS (New Orleans Police Department): Every man      in leadership positions must know when it's time to hand over the reins      to someone else, and at this time, within the next 30 to 45 days during      the transition period, I will be retiring as superintendent of police,      and I will be going on in another direction God has for me.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Edwin Compass said he'd wanted to be superintendent of police      his whole life, and officials gave no reason for his departure now.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: The superintendent had been criticized for his department's      response to Katrina.  Mayor Ray Nagin has already named an acting      superintendent and has said he would create a panel to investigate the      handling of the crisis.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Edwin Compass, one of the leading authority figures in the city after Katrina hit, has resigned. No reason was given for the resignation.