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Metropolitan Council approves pay increase for Baton Rouge police after public hearing
Summary
The Metropolitan Council voted April 22 to approve a police pay-plan ordinance that appropriates $5,615,000 and raises starting pay for Baton Rouge police, after hours of public comment and a failed substitute motion to defer to a later meeting.
The Metropolitan Council of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge voted April 22 to approve an ordinance implementing changes to the municipal police pay plan and appropriating $5,615,000, a measure supporters said is needed to recruit and retain officers.
The vote followed a lengthy public hearing in which the Police Chief urged approval, saying the department is budgeted for 696 officers but currently has roughly 525 — a shortfall the chief described as “about 170 officers” that threatens response capacity. “Your Baton Rouge Police Department desperately needs these raises so that we can attract, recruit, and hire more top‑tier talent,” the Police Chief said in remarks to the council.
Union leaders and other proponents backed the increase. Brandon O’Neil, president of Baton Rouge Union Police, called the plan…
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