According to Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, Louisiana paid its more than 13,000 patrol officers and sheriff’s deputies an average annual salary of $45 thousand in 2022 compared to the national average of $71 thousand. PAR President Steven Procopio says comparing Louisiana to neighboring states, law enforcement patrol officers are paid six thousand below the regional average…
“We’re behind everyone else. Often times by substantial amounts. That’s a very important job so you want to make sure you have people that are going to be able to do law enforcement. And make sure they can be effective while also making sure they can do their job well.”
Louisiana has the third lowest police pay compared to nine southern states. The average hourly pay for officers is around $22 in Louisiana. Procopio says it’s unclear whether the numbers include supplemental dollars that the state provides, but in most states, local governments are responsible for police pay….
“In most states, law enforcement is a local responsibility. I don’t know if lawmakers should necessarily kick in more money. Although they did in fact have increases to what is known as supplemental pay. But that’s relatively rare that most states kick in money.”
While the South has the lowest wages for police in the country, it also has the highest concentration of jobs in law enforcement. In Louisiana, seven out of every 1,000 jobs are in law enforcement. Procopio says in order to keep boots on the ground, salaries must stay competitive…
“We have had a problem in law enforcement. These are public employees so it’s not just up to the private sector to pay what they need to. It’s a more difficult process. And so you have to take actual action and raise revenue or make priorities.”
Officers in the New Orleans-Metairie receive the highest annual salary in the state, making $49 thousand.
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