According to Police Association of New Orleans President Michael Glasser, a New Orleans Police officer leaves the force this year once every 46 hours. Glasser says it is not because of pay, but because the officers who leave are fed up with what they see as politicized department leadership.
Glasser told WWL's Tommy Tucker of one instance when an officer appealed a disciplinary action, and the review board overturned it, including some harsh words for the head of the Public Integrity Bureau, the NOPD's internal affairs division.
"If the chief of PIB is deemed not credible and untruthful under oath in testimony, who, then, is?" Glasser asked.
Glasser said this is what is leading to experienced cops leaving NOPD, not for better pay, but in some instances, lower-paying jobs.
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"They don't want to work in conditions like this," he said. "They don't want to work under that microscope held by somebody that's not willing to be credible and truthful and do investigations correctly and equitably."
New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said they are aware of officers' frustrations, and are not opposed to considering changes.
"We just have to look at some of our processes that we have in place, that we've implemented over the last several years and see what kind of a burden that has put upon our officers," said Ferguson.
But overall, Ferguson says he believes officers are living up to a higher standard set to serve and protect citizens in New Orleans.