About New Orleans Police Department

New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state of Louisiana – with nearly 1,300 employees.

History: New Orleans Police Department was formally established in 1796, making it one of the oldest institutionalized police departments in the US. Initially, law enforcement in New Orleans was carried out by the French Army. Due to rapidly increasing crimes in the city, the French administration felt the necessity of establishing a full-time law enforcement agency. Free men of color were the ideal choice for patrol officers. The department grew steadily and by 1820, the department already had nearly 50 officers, who carried out frequent patrols. Since its establishment more than 220 years ago, 118 officers have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Size: The New Orleans Police department covers an area of just under 350 square miles and is responsible for policing over 390,000 people. For more systematic patrolling, the city is divided into 8 districts. Each district has a substation and is headed by a district commander.

Headquarters: New Orleans Police Department, 715 South Broad St., New Orleans, LA 70119

Divisions: NOPD is headed by the Superintendent of Police. The department is divided into 5 main bureaus: Field Operations Bureau – which is responsible for patrolling the city, specialized units and traffic management; Investigations and Support Bureau – which carries out criminal investigations and other specialized investigations; public integrity bureau – which allocates finances, and takes disciplinary actions in necessary circumstances; management services bureau – which carries out training and recruitment, and maintains employee and public records; compliance bureau – responsible for IT-related functions and CCTV surveillance.

How to become a deputy: Candidates are required to take the NOPD test, which is composed of a multiple-choice written examination, physical agility test, and a panel interview. A basic knowledge and understanding of the functioning of the department is necessary to qualify. Candidates must also show their competencies in problem-solving, logical thinking and reasoning and communication. On passing these phases of the selection process, a thorough background check and CVSA test is performed.

Average salary: $40,391-$56,566 annually, increasing with experience and responsibility.

Police academy: Candidates who pass the New Orleans police department test, can join the law enforcement training academy. The training offered at the academy is for a duration of 27 weeks, where candidates acquire basic theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the various functions and responsibilities of a police officer. Basic principles of law enforcement, implications of the constitution and various laws, communication skills, operation of special police vehicles, crisis management, physical fitness training are some of the skills imparted to recruits during the training program.

Registration: For more information on the New Orleans police exam, visit their website today. Competition for places within the department is currently high.