The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has taken a critical step toward ending more than a decade of federal oversight following a damning Department of Justice report dating back to 2011.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan said the police department has transformed itself into a more transparent and accountable agency.

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.