PONCHATOULA, La. — Ponchatoula’s Police Department is calling an officer walkout the blue flu. Every employee called out of work this morning.
During his 25 years in law enforcement, Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson has never seen anything like it.
“None of those employees showed up today,” Layrisson said.
On Friday morning, his entire staff called out with the blue flu.
“I don’t like the way they did it without telling me,” Layrisson said.
According to the chief, the walkout boils down to one thing.
“They’re being underpaid significantly,” Layrisson said.
Under the force’s current pay structure, Layrisson says officers who have been with the department for five years are making the same salary as those with twenty years of experience under their belts.
“We need to get that fixed,” Layrisson said.
That’s why the council brought in a compensation expert.
“They’re upset with the mayor who has ignored a consultant that did a comprehensive salary study,” Layrisson said.
The city’s mayor claims he followed those recommendations.
“That’s absolutely false,” Robert Zabbia said. “We are adhering to that salary schedule.
With a busy weekend ahead, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies will patrol the area until officers return to work.
“We’ve agreed to come in and help patrol,” Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief of Operations Jimmy Travis said. “They have the St. Joseph’s fair going on this weekend. That fair brings in thousands of people for the weekend.”
As for residents, they don’t blame the officers.
“I agree with him,” One resident said. “I think there should be a way for them to get more money.”
Their boss says he will continue to fight for them.
“I absolutely support the men and women in my department,” Layrisson said. They should be paid accordingly. They risk their lives and should be paid a livable wage.”
Layrisson says he expects all employees to return for their shifts tomorrow morning.
We reached out to each of the Ponchatoula City Council Members. They either declined to comment or didn’t answer our calls.
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