Louisiana in need of police officers, Gov. Jeff Landry declares state of emergency

Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency Friday due to a police officers shortage across the state. The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association estimates that sheriff's offices were down about 1,800 deputies, making a record-low employment and increasing response time.

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- Louisiana is experiencing a shortage of police officers.

Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency Friday due to a police officer shortage across the state. The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association estimates that sheriff's offices were down about 1,800 deputies, making employment at a record-low and increasing response time, according to the governor's office.

“As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities. Currently, our state is facing a shortage of officers, resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today’s executive order, and the upcoming crime special session, will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state,” said Landry. 

“We applaud Governor Landry for highlighting the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front-line deputy positions,” said Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Michael Ranatza.

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