Public SafetySaturday, October 31
Baton Rouge is one of four cities picked for a share of $300 million in federal crime-fighting grants
The Daily Baton Rouge team
Baton Rouge is one of four cities picked for a share of the $300 million Model Cities Initiative Grants, officials announced Friday. Jackson, Mississippi; Jacksonville, Florida; and St. Louis, Missouri, are the others. Mayor-President Sid Edwards said 47 major cities applied.
The dollar amount isn't out yet. Attorney General Todd Blanche will announce it in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, and Edwards said the city plans to start in early January. The Justice Department's list of uses includes hiring, technology and equipment, plus mental health and substance use services.
- Officers now: about 530 at BRPD, budget built for 610
- January academy: about 70 applicants, the most in five years
- 2027 goal: 50 to 60 new officers, per Chief T.J. Morse
BRPD has about 530 officers, short of its budget and its 2015 level
Source: The Advocate
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Officers today | 530 |
| Budgeted | 610 |
| 2015 | 670 |
| Morse's eventual goal | 700 |
The Metro Council approved historic raises in April, and BRPD has seen a 300% increase in inquiries about joining compared with last year. Chief Morse said in September he'd like to get back to around 700 officers. The closest recent year was 2015, with 670.
$58,000new starting pay for Baton Rouge police officers, up from $41,000
That makes BRPD the highest paid in Louisiana.
Source: The Advocate
Sources: The Advocate, Louisiana First News, WAFB