NOPD Publishes 2023 Recruitment Annual Report

The NOPD today (April 25, 2024) published its annual report on recruitment for the 2023 fiscal year.

The full report, completed by the Recruitment and Applicant Investigations Division, can be viewed by visiting https://nola.gov/nola/media/NOPD/Consent%20Decree/NOPD%20Audits/2023-Recruitment-and-Applicant-Investigations-Annual-Report.pdf.

Points of interest from the report include:

• In all for 2023, the NOPD received 2,987 applications for commissioned positions. Of these, 730 applicants tested with the department and 495 passed testing. Of the 495 applicants who passed testing, 317 completed background investigations. A total of 158 applicants' backgrounds were deemed acceptable to be offered positions. A total of 105 applicants were hired in 2023 commissioned positions. This figure does show a slower hiring pace than pre-COVID 19 pandemic levels

• NOPD initiated four batches of recruits in 2023: Class 197 (commencing in January 2023 with 19 recruits), Class 198 (commencing in March 2023 with 21 recruits), Class 199 (commencing in July 2023 with 33 recruits, including one returning recruit), and Class 200 (commending in November with 23 recruits. There were 14 reinstatements of officers who left the force previously for various reasons and chose to return to their posts.

• Additionally, 2023 implemented a strategic shift toward leveraging existing law enforcement talent with the inception of a lateral academy tailored for individuals already certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. The first lateral class was comprised of three officers.

• In 2023, the NOPD saw a significant uptick in applications, receiving 2,987 applications (a 13.25% increase from the 2,591 applications received in 2022 and approximately a 6.43% increase from the 2,795 applications in 2021). Consistent with previous years, these applications came from a wide geographical spread including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and various countries. This resulted in a richly diverse pool of applicants, with 16.6% indicating they are multilingual, 11.6% having a background in the military, and 34.2% possessing some post-secondary education.

The NOPD's recruiting efforts also faced challenges in 2023 - particularly in resource allocation and adapting to law enforcement's rapidly changing societal expectations. Moving forward, the department will continually focus on diversity in recruitment and enhanced programs to address these challenges.

Other points of interest from the 2023 report include:

• An assessment that adopting new procedures played a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of the Recruitment and Applicant Investigation Division's operations.
• Implementing a new application process and streamlining the background investigation processes allows for more effective applicant data management and quicker turnaround times.
• Regarding legal and ethical considerations, the NOPD remained steadfast in its commitment to upholding the highest standards. All recruitment and investigation activities were conducted strictly with legal guidelines, with no significant legal or ethical concerns reported.
• Performance metrics indicate growth in recruitment and investigative outcomes compared to the previous year. These metrics serve as a testament to the effectiveness of the strategies implemented and the dedication of our staff.

Per the Consent Decree, the NOPD's Recruitment and Application Investigations Unit annually reports its recruiting activities and outcomes, including the number of applicants, interviewees, and selectees, and the extent to which the Recruitment Unit has been able to recruit applicants with needed skills, such as problem-solving abilities or fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese, and a discussion of any challenges to recruiting highly qualified applicants.

The report concludes that 2023 was marked by significant progress in the department's recruitment and applicant investigation efforts.

"Looking ahead to 2024, the NOPD remains committed to continuous improvement and excellence. We are dedicated to enhancing our engagement with the community, further refining our recruitment processes, and nurturing the professional growth of our officers," the report reads. "We aim to maintain public safety and foster a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration between the NOPD and the community we are privileged to serve."

For more information on the NOPD's Consent Decree, including all NOPD reports related to the Consent Decree, visit https://nola.gov/nopd/nopd-consent-decree/.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD's Public Affairs Division at [email protected].

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