Republican Governor Declares State Of Emergency Over Police Officer Shortage

Governor Jeff Landry (R-LA) declared a state of emergency in Louisiana on Friday over a shortage of law enforcement officers in the state.

Landry made the declaration in an executive order that comes just days before the legislature will meet for a special session on crime, which the governor said will focus on strengthening the criminal justice system and repealing soft-on-crime policies. According to the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, there is a shortage of 1,800 deputies as of July 2023.

“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,” Landry said.

Landry’s order comes as cities around the country have struggled to retain police officers and recruit amid increasing crime and a push by some activists to “Defund the Police.” Some entities are even considering letting non-citizens join the ranks of the police.

The executive order says that the “national police officer shortage has affected Louisiana with departments experiencing record-low employment and an increase in police officer response times resulting in an increased threat to the lives, property, and safety of persons within the state of Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association praised the executive order, saying that it highlighted “the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front line deputy positions.”

During the special session, Landry wants the legislature to look at restricting parole eligibility, expanding the criteria to revoke parole and probation, increasing penalties for carjackings, upgrading illegal use of weapons to the violent crime category, granting immunity under certain conditions to peace officers, and creating a criminal offense for the marketing of fentanyl to minors.

“This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises we made to the people of Louisiana to make our State Safe Again. No one, regardless of their neighborhood or zip code, should feel unsafe. We all want safer communities,” Landry said. “We will defend and uplift our law enforcement officials and deliver true justice to crime victims who have been overlooked for far too long.”

New Orleans, whose police force Landry previously said was in “shambles,” consistently ranks as one of the most violent cities in America. Landry took office in January after his election in October flipped control of the governor’s mansion in after promising to crack down on crime in the state.