re: BRPD and EBRSO Are Currently Understaffed By 167 Officers

BRPD is budgeted to have 700 officers on staff. Even if only 30 new hires are placed on the road, that's an extra officer per shift in every precinct.

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I appreciate law enforcement, but why would anyone risk their life for 40-50k?

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Even if money is the only incentive, good performance can lead to a 6 figure salary. It's easily attainable.

Local police departments may not be where new hires end up either. After a few years of experience, officers can apply with federal agencies and be competitive.

As long as pay is shite and the communities they try to protect hate them, I doubt it'll change.

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So a kid can make about $1K a week. After deductions, if single, and paying job related expenses, he would take home about $550- a week. With his car and car insurance being provided he can get a decent apartment if he gets a room mate.

If he is frugal, he can save a down payment on a house within about 10 years. Meanwhile, the bottom and top of his community's food chain has put a target on his back. Most of the middle of the food chain does not like him because he writes them chicken shite tickets on Stanford and Morning Glory.

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A lot of the young BRPD officers have free apartments. I know of around a dozen who have free housing at the student housing around LSU, which is worth about $1k per month at the nicer ones.

I see one about every other day in my neighborhood to pull over speeders. Nicer older neighborhood..

I think most people have a myopic view of what police actually do. The average person only interacts with police during a negative encounter such as speeding tickets or dui. The reality is that there are a wide variety of jobs that police perform and the majority revolve around non punitive actions to anyone not committing felonies and promote order in civil society.

Sure there are knuckleheads in the police force with complexes but I would wager the majority are probably looking to provide for their families and do an interesting job that can contribute to society.

I don't think someone's a hero because they punch a clock wearing a badge but I also don't think they don't sit around hoping to stick a fine on regular citizens for no reason.

With those brilliant college students breezing along at 55 down Stanford around the beach, I hope Baton Rouge's finest are there everyday.

Mix in a little texting and Instagram and it is a recipe for disaster.

Don't expect people to be lining up to join the police force any time soon.

It used to be just about risking your life but back in the 80s and 90s you got appreciation and respect for doing so. Now all you'd get for the job is disrespect and the media and CP government pretty much making you out to be the bad guy. Frick all of them. This city is in dire need of a good week long blue flu. After that we can sweep up what's left of NBR and start over.

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I agree with you, but why should a cop have to work 60 hours a week so he can buy a boat and ATV? If he decides to get married she will have to work too. Children need things, and college funds.

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I'm not disagreeing with you. I think higher base pay based on good measures for successful performance would improve the caliber of the police force. I've worked military and law enforcement and can tell you the motivation has always been based on interest and contributing to society. I just dislike the whole dichotomy of hero or total goon label that is applied to both.