NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department has been fighting increasing crime rates with a depleted force, for years. This year, though, NOPD leaders say things have been positively changing. Deputy Chief Michelle Woodfork, who is now in charge of recruiting and hiring, said at a presentation Tuesday that the department has made significant hires.
According to the NOPD, they have hired 90 recruits and 107 civilian staffers. It's more than double their recruit hires in 2022 when only 28 officers were added to the force. Plus, they've been more successful with retention.
"We’ve had a reduction in officer separation from the department compared to last year," Woodfork said. "Reflecting a commission attrition rate of 8% compared to 14% in 2022."
While they've made progress this year, it's still not enough. Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said they aim to add 200 officers in the next two years.
"At minimum a net gain of 200 so that will put you at 1,100 sworn. So that would be at minimum what I’d like to go for. I know there's always a danger in giving a number if you fall short there’s always criticism," Kirkpatrick said.
The department is working to find and implement more creative ways to grow the force. They've recently started allowing remote testing, which makes it easier for out-of-state applicants. They also point to retention incentive pay and programs such as internships as other tools for recruiting and retaining.
Both council members and NOPD leadership say they want to focus on things that will make the overall experience of working for NOPD a positive one, with things such as improving facilities and implementing childcare.
The hope is more officers will lead to a reduction in crime.
"We do know for a fact that presence matters, so presence does have impact therefore staffing does matter so there’s a function of prevention by simply removing the opportunity," Kirkpatrick said.
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