(The Center Square) — The Louisiana Deputy Sheriff Supplemental Pay Board recently approved a request to use $15,388.90 in current-year funds to cover deputy sheriffs’ back pay.
The payment addresses applications received after the previous fiscal year’s close. The supplemental pay program, managed by the state Treasury, provides additional monthly pay to qualifying law enforcement officers, including deputy sheriffs, to enhance their compensation and support retention.
The board’s approval allows the use of current-year appropriations to cover the outstanding payments.
Rep. Barbara Carpenter, D-East Baton Rouge moved to approve the request, which passed without objection.
This approval comes amid mounting scrutiny over the supplemental pay program’s criteria and distribution processes. Concerns have emerged among police officers, firefighters, and public officials over whether all recipients are genuinely engaged in the hands-on, hazardous work the program was designed to support.
The eligibility criteria, set by a complex and sometimes ambiguous statute, have led to inconsistencies. The process, overseen by a nine-member police board and a seven-member fire board, is often delayed due to incomplete applications and unclear standards.
According to Rep. Jason Dewitt, R-Boyce, animal control officers enforcing state animal cruelty laws in St. Landry Parish were initially approved for supplemental pay, but when a new board reviewed their case, they were deemed ineligible.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office recently recommended more stringent eligibility reviews to ensure supplemental pay recipients regularly update their job titles and responsibilities.
Rep. Dodie Horton, Chair of the State Supplemental Pay subcommittee, emphasized the importance of clarity and efficiency, noting, “We need to make sure the supplemental pay remains for those who are truly deserving.”
