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A major pay increase for police officers was a long time
in coming, but essential to the goal of reforming and improving our department. The
recruitment of officers, however, was slow going at first because we wanted to find the
cream of the crop. After all, that's what New Orleans deserved. -Mayor Marc H. Morial Police Pay Ordinance
Signing Ceremony Today marks an important step towards rebuilding the body, heart and soul of New Orleans. Today, my fellow New Orleanians, the united force of your elected officials and your business and community leaders stand before you committed to one purpose: making New Orleans the safest big city in America. Yesterday, the City Council unanimously provided a pay increase for the police department which will go a long way toward fulfilling our intention to take this department from last to first in the nation. They also unanimously approved a franchise fee that will fund the pay increase and protect other critical city services without increasing the out of pocket costs of our citizens. We have arrived at a new day of unity for New Orleans, a day of common commitment to making every street, every block and every neighborhood safe in this city. The new pay structure for the NOPD means that the members of this police department will have received pay increases of 35 to 70 percent over the course of 19 months. As you know, increasing police salaries to a level competitive with the other departments of this region has been the cornerstone of our effort to rebuild the force with new cars, new technology and a new spirit of effective service to the citizens of this city. Chief Pennington can now recruit the finest men and women of our region to be New Orleans police officers. The new pay structure will encourage the department's best and brightest to remain on the force throughout their careers and take the promotional exams that could bring them greater responsibility and rewards. In the coming years, the children of our city, no matter where they live, will no longer see drug dealing on their way to school. They will no longer have to feel they have to carry guns to protect themselves. They will no longer be victims of random shootings. We will achieve this vision of a safe New Orleans by embracing a principle of accountability in the police department. Just as I am accountable to the people of New Orleans for the quality of city services, the chief of police is accountable for the performance of the agency under his command. I have asked Chief Pennington to report to me regularly on the progress he is making in achieving his goals, which are all of our goals. These goals include reduction in crime, rapid recruitment of the finest men and women in the region, continued construction of a department free of corruption, and a guarantee of proper treatment of all our citizens by the members of the force. The principle of accountability means we will expect measurable results in all these areas. This principle, fully implemented, will shine a harsh light on nonperformance. But we believe that this same bright light will inspire high performance from the entire organization. My fellow New Orleanians, today begins a new day in the history of our city. United as one people, we will make our city safe. You have my word that all our citizens, no matter where they live and work, will share the benefits of rebuilding the greatest city in America. |
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