The Hidden Challenges Facing Police Officers in Louisiana

A nationwide study of policing ranked Louisiana as one of the 5 worst states for police officers, which may surprise some, but the challenges faced by the Bayou State's police shouldn't come as a surprise to many. From dangerous work to less-than-stellar pay, officers in Louisiana are probably begging for a break.

Why Louisiana Ranks So Low for Police

Police work is not an easy field, but it's a little less easy in Louisiana for several reasons. Low pay is one of the main reasons Louisiana's police have it rough, with the second-lowest average income for officers according to the study.

According to the Louisiana State Police, the starting salary of a cadet is $56k a year, compared to a state like Illinois, where the starting salary is $84k a year.

That pay is likely why the Shreveport Police Department has at times been short on officers, a problem that plagues the entire state of Louisiana. The shortage of officers was such a problem in 2024 that Gov. Landry declared it a state of emergency.

The Daily Struggle For Louisiana Officers

Louisiana's Police put themselves in danger every day they work. In cities like Shreveport, violent crime is not an uncommon occurrence. The violent crime rate of Louisiana has been found at times to be 46% higher than the national average, and the property crime rate is 37% higher.

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Working in an environment with so much crime places not just a lot of work on the plates of Louisiana's law enforcement, but also puts them in the line of danger with such a high violent crime rate.