Louisiana GOP Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency due to a police officer shortage.
Landry’s executive order issued Thursday lifts limits on how many new employees Louisiana sheriffs can hire and on payroll increases for their departments.
Landry, who previously had a career in law enforcement, said that police departments in the state are experiencing record-low employments “resulting in increased crime and less public safety.” As of July, sheriff’s offices statewide were down 1,800 deputies, Landry said.
Happy, healthy, educated people not scrapping for money don’t rob the gas station nearly as often. Supporting those issues decreases crime directly and would make for a scenario where less officers are needed.