Report: New Orleans Police Department grapples with staffing crisis

(The Center Square) — The New Orleans Police Department is grappling with a staffing crisis, with officer numbers at their lowest since the 1940s and facing mounting financial penalties for falling short of state-mandated thresholds.

According to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office, between 2019 and 2023, the department lost 26.6% of its staff in police districts, with a total of 776 employees — both civilian and commissioned — leaving during this period.

Of those departures, 496 were resignations, 205 were retirements, 46 were dismissals and 22 were attributed to death. The exodus has coincided with a steady decline in new recruits, with just 35 recruits joining the force so far in 2024, compared to 88 in 2023, 25 in 2022, and 42 in 2021.

The staffing shortages have triggered financial penalties under Louisiana law, which requires municipalities with significant staffing drops to cover their share of unfunded liabilities in the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System .

Starting in July 2023, the city of New Orleans has been fined $50,314 monthly, with penalties set to rise to $214,113 per month by July 2024 unless staffing levels rebound. To reverse the penalties, the department would need an estimated 1,100 employees in the system.

The shortage has also raised concerns about the NOPD’s ability to comply with a federal consent decree that requires reforms to address longstanding civil rights violations and misconduct. The consent decree, in effect since 2012, mandates fair, unbiased, and constitutional policing.

The department’s depleted ranks have strained its capacity to meet these standards, particularly in responding to emergency calls for domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

The federal monitor overseeing the decree highlighted issues with “Gone on Arrival” dispositions, where officers fail to respond promptly to emergency calls.

“If officers cannot consistently respond to calls for service in a timely manner, the NOPD cannot meet this fundamental obligation,” the monitor noted.

Officers’ job satisfaction has also plummeted, with many citing financial stress and excessive overtime as contributing factors.

One officer remarked in a survey: “With current cost of living increases, it is impossible for an officer (with a family) to survive on their regular salary alone. The only way to live comfortably is to work 30+ hours of overtime every week… which affects family relationships and officers’ mental health.”

City officials say the consent decree has cost New Orleans approximately $61.3 million since its inception, with $14.3 million allocated to the Office of the Consent Decree Monitor.

Gov. Jeff Landry has been a vocal critic of the decree, blaming it for NOPD’s staffing woes.

“The New Orleans Police Department is in shambles because of a federal consent decree and a federal judge,” Landry said earlier this year.

In response to the crisis, Landry established a permanent State Police troop in New Orleans in early 2024, deploying 40 troopers to assist local law enforcement. He has also called on officers nationwide to join Louisiana, highlighting legislative efforts to bolster police protections, including the newly enacted Halo Act.

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Covering your license plate could be costly in the new year

(The Center Square) – If you have a clear...

Louisiana undergoes major education reform in the past year

(The Center Square) — Louisiana implemented new educational choice...

‘Death by a thousand paper cuts’ for Illinois landlords with new laws

(The Center Square) – Property owners will see about...

Georgia’s school choice program begins in 2025

(The Center Square) — Georgia's school choice program takes...

Newsom celebrates gas price decline since start of Ukraine conflict, amid job losses

(The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated...

Chicago Teachers Union touts ‘legendary’ contract negotiation gains

(The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union is...

Arizona bill requires statewide technical training assessment for high schoolers

(The Center Square) – An Arizona lawmaker is seeking...

Census: Colorado sees spike in international migrants in 2024

(The Center Square) – Data from the U.S. Census...

More like this
Related

Covering your license plate could be costly in the new year

(The Center Square) – If you have a clear...

Louisiana undergoes major education reform in the past year

(The Center Square) — Louisiana implemented new educational choice...

‘Death by a thousand paper cuts’ for Illinois landlords with new laws

(The Center Square) – Property owners will see about...

Georgia’s school choice program begins in 2025

(The Center Square) — Georgia's school choice program takes...