NEW ORLEANS - It's the first graduating class of NOPD officers under new Superintendent Ronal Serpas.
Friday, 25 new officers joined the ranks at a time when multiple investigations hang over the department.
Serpas stressed to the officers, they'll play a big role in helping right the ship.
"Our community wants to support us, but we will make the first step, and we have to make the first step, not only because of the great insult that's been done to our community by some of our own, but because it's always the right thing to do to take the first step," he said during the graduation ceremony at Tulane University.
But this first class for Serpas, will also be the last in 2010.
As the city deals with a massive budget shortfall, the NOPD's ability to hire new officers hits a standstill.
Serpas says he'll push for more manpower, beginning next year.
"We will be asking for hires, because every organization this size has an attrition rate,” he said.“Our attrition rate is about 100 people a year. We have to be hiring continually to make up for that attrition so we can continue to provide the service."
The superintendent says he plans to purchase a software program that will use analytics to determine the best staffing size for the department.
Even with an understanding of the city's financial problems, Serpas says the NOPD must be at full force.
"Right now, the overtime budget is allotted in one lump sum of $2.2 million, which is far less than Mardi Gras by itself,” Serpas said.“Our budget is gonna say, 'This is what we need for case, holiday, court, special events, sporting events.' It's gonna be very specific and very detailed on what we think the needs are to run the police department in 2011."
For now, 25 men and women get to work, in hopes of writing a newchapter in the NOPD's history.
"It's something we've talked about a lot during the academy and all the instructors and the high ranking officers have come in and talked to us about it, so it's something we've been kind of prepared for, and we're really looking forward to helping to change the image of the New Orleans Police Department as we get out onto the streets," said Jonathan Rhodes, a graduate.
