News Summary
The New Orleans Police Department is grappling with significant staffing shortages despite recent arrests in homicide investigations. Recruiting efforts have fallen short, with active officer numbers lingering around 900, well below the target. A noted decrease in applications has compounded the issue, prompting the department to reassess its recruitment strategies in light of ongoing public safety concerns and a federal consent decree.
New Orleans is currently facing significant challenges with its police department amidst a recent series of arrests related to homicide investigations and ongoing staffing shortages. The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has announced the arrest of Feliciana Winniford, a 36-year-old female, in connection with a homicide that took place on September 23, 2025. Additionally, Wallace Gilmore, a 47-year-old male, was arrested for a homicide occurring on September 22, 2025, while Darryl Loving, a 56-year-old male, was taken into custody for a homicide investigation from September 18, 2025. These developments come at a time when the NOPD is under scrutiny for its low staffing levels and recruitment difficulties.
The police department is soliciting public assistance to identify suspects involved in auto burglary and illegal dumping incidents. Over the past weeks, NOPD has made progress in tackling crime, having arrested two individuals for illegal possession of drugs and firearms following a joint pursuit with the Louisiana State Police and the FBI.
Despite these arrests and ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, the NOPD is struggling with significant recruitment challenges. Since August 2023, the number of active officers has stagnated around 900, falling short of the target of 1,200 officers established by Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. The department’s inability to replenish its ranks is concerning, with only 33 new recruits and five lateral transfers entering training, despite high demand for officers.
In recent years, the NOPD has seen a sharp decline in applications for police officer positions. Between 2022 and 2023, the department reported receiving just 2,600 applications but managed to hire only 22 new officers, while over 150 officers left the force. Although applications increased to approximately 1,603 in 2023, they still fell drastically short of the department’s projections of 2,000 applicants for the year. Recruiting efforts are being hindered further by dropout rates from training classes, with only seven of the 25 cadets from Class 201 graduating.
The recruitment struggles reflect a broader national issue, as many urban police departments are facing difficulties in hiring and retaining officers since 2020, particularly following heightened scrutiny of police practices after the murder of George Floyd. In response, the NOPD has initiated measures to boost recruitment, which includes working with a local marketing firm, Brand Society, to improve its visibility and appeal to potential applicants. They are also digitizing billboards, overhauling their social media presence, and building partnerships with popular media such as A&E’s “Homicide Squad New Orleans.”
The staffing issues have dire implications for community safety and the effective performance of the department, especially in light of the NOPD’s obligations under a federal consent decree. Financial penalties could also impact the city, totaling almost $38 million due to decreased commissions affecting the Municipal Police Employee Retirement System. The starting salary for NOPD recruits ranges between $40,391 and $56,566 annually, with opportunities for raises based on experience, additional qualifications, and incentives for bilingual skills.
In light of their ongoing challenges, the NOPD is reassessing its overall recruitment strategy. Plans are underway to potentially seek input from a national consulting firm to devise a comprehensive solution for improving hiring campaigns and effectively addressing the staffing crisis within the department.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: NOPD Struggling to Attract New Officers
- Fox 8 Live: NOPD Policy and Public Support
- Police1: NOPD Staffing Issues
- Officer: NOPD Taps Marketing Firm for Recruitment
- New Orleans CityBusiness: Lower Education Standards for Recruitment
- Wikipedia: New Orleans Police Department
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google Search: NOPD Recruitment
- Google News: NOPD News
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
