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NOPD Third District officers without air conditioning for weeks, again, City says

The Mayor's Office said they expect the parts to arrive on Thursday and repairs to be completed by the end of the day.

NEW ORLEANS — President and CEO of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, Melanie Talia, is calling on city officials to solve a sweltering problem. 

“Let’s get the problem fixed, not just band-aided," Talia said, “It’s not sending a message that we care, and we want them to be in a positive, healthy work environment so that they can always put their best foot forward to protect the citizens of New Orleans. But it’s not just the police officers, civilians go to district stations too.”  

Sources told WWL Louisiana that NOPD's Third District was without AC. We reached out to the Mayor's Office, and a spokesperson confirmed that the Property Management Department received an AC malfunction report on April 29, 2024. 

An HVAC contractor was called out to evaluate and parts have been ordered, according to the Mayor's Office. 

But for more than two weeks, officers have been forced to work in the New Orleans heat without AC. 

“Officers routinely work in their units because it’s so hot in their district stations," Talia said. 

This isn't the first time NOPD has faced this issue. 

Last summer, as southeast Louisiana experienced record-breaking heat, the AC was out for weeks at NOPD Headquarters. 

The City said it would take $6.5 million to upgrade the HVAC system. That and other major repairs led to the decision for headquarters to relocate to Poydras Street. 

The Third District also experienced AC issues last summer, according to PANO. 

Talia said NOPD currently has an international campaign running to attract new officers from across the globe. 

“They need to come to a department that is functional and is equally as impressive as the advertisements," Talia said. 

The Mayor's Office said they expect the parts to arrive on Thursday and repairs to be completed by the end of the day. 

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