A new deployment plan to get more police responding to crime kicked off today.
“Today is a pivotal day for the NOPD and a step forward for the public safety for the people of New Orleans," Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement.
She says the city has officially added more highly trained officers to help patrol neighborhoods and reduce overall response times.
It came just days after NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson outlined patrol shifts and "civilian" hiring plans.
Under the new strategy, cops assigned to administrative roles and specialized units now have to spend some of their time on patrol and responding to calls. That includes ranking officers from headquarters and district stations.
Employees who are not police officers are being called on to complete tasks that do not require police certification.
The mayor said, "For several weeks, I have worked with Chief Ferguson to address the needs of our police officers. I am encouraged by the implementation of these additional patrols, in addition to many other game changing policy and procedural changes that are underway as we continue reimagining policing in New Orleans. My administration remains committed to the advancement of the NOPD and City of New Orleans. We have a world-class police department and will continue to deliver to ensure our officers feel safe while ensuring all residents and visitors are well protected.”
The strategy was expected to add 75 officers to the beligured force that is at the lowest staffing levels since the 1950s.
