By: Rick Gogreve | wgno.com | November 13, 2025
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — With the New Orleans Police Department lacking hundreds of officers, the department is searching everywhere for recruits, and with New York City seeing a wave of officers leaving, the question is, would they come here for a change of scenery?
Just last month, New York City saw a 35% increase in officers leaving.
They say they’re concerned about New York’s new mayor and the possibility that he might “de-fund” the New York Police Department.
Due to that, several police departments in different states are recruiting those officers, and so is the NOPD.
“The police department, the NOPD, is in a hiring mode, and they’re well aware of some of the opportunities that exist in places like New York City,” President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche said.
The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation has already begun posting ads targeting potential recruits on Facebook.
Matthew Stone with the foundation says,
“We have observed that thousands of experienced NYPD officers are exploring relocation opportunities in other major cities – including New Orleans… (We are) recognizing this moment as both a challenge and an opportunity, “
But what can New Orleans offer these New York officers?
According to Goyeneche, the city itself is the draw, specifically for young officers.
“It’s, you know, the lure of a destination like the City of New Orleans. So, younger officers, single officers will be lured to the city of New Orleans,” Goyeneche said.
What might hold them back is New Orleans’ budget crisis.
“Other jurisdictions, as an attempt to capitalize on this, may offer incentives to officers come to their cities. The City of New Orleans is in a different financial situation. You know, we are having to borrow money from the state of Louisiana,” Goyeneche said.
The New York to New Orleans connection is not a new one either.
According to the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, nearly every NOPD graduating class includes at least one recruit from the New York area.