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Council hears police staffing update; discusses sheriff cooperation and budget timing
Summary
Police chief provided staffing numbers; council discussed cooperating with the parish sheriff to cover some patrol shifts and asked that budget adjustments be brought to council before funds are exhausted.
Council members discussed public safety staffing and coordination with the parish sheriff to maintain patrol coverage.
In response to council questions, the police chief reported the department has 15 authorized patrol slots, 12 filled, three additional recruits expected to start a hiring process in November (academy begins in January), and two staff currently in the academy. The department also reported four dispatchers, one of whom is in academy training. The chief said part-time slots (five) were budgeted as supplemental patrol positions.
Council members and staff discussed a cooperative approach in which the sheriff’s department could provide officers on certain overnight shifts; council members urged that any additional funding requests be presented to the council well before the city reaches a budget crunch. "Don't wait till it's crunch time and give us numbers… give us adequate amount of time to make some adjustments," one councilmember said.
No budget amendment was adopted at the meeting; council directed the mayor and staff to coordinate with the chief and to provide updated recruitment and budget figures during the next quarterly review so council can assess whether supplemental funding or reallocation is needed to maintain patrol levels.
