NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — When it comes to Governor Jeff Landry’s plan for a permanent state police troop in New Orleans, one city councilman thinks he should pump the brakes.
Councilman Oliver Thomas is hoping for a conversation with Landry after he said a permanent state police troop is the only way to drastically reduce crime in our area.
“The New Orleans Police Department is in shambles because of a federal consent decree and a federal judge,” Landry said last week during an appearance at Nicholls State University.
Thomas disagrees.
“It wasn’t the right choice of words,” Thomas said. “Look, I want Governor Landry to be successful. I want our state to be successful.”
The New Orleans city councilman has questions for Landry when it comes to more troopers in the city.
Thomas listed, “Will they report to Chief Kirkpatrick, or will they report to the colonel over the troopers? Who will be first on call for certain issues?”
Thomas also questions if the police troop will be able to abide by the consent decree.
“That’s why it’s important to talk to the federal monitors, federal judge, talk to our Police Chief [Anne] Kirkpatrick, you know, let her be involved in how this operates, let the city officials be involved on how it operates, and I recommend coming before the criminal justice committee,” Thomas said.
The next criminal justice committee meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 26.
We reached out to Landry’s office for comment, but we did not hear back.
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