Pay/Benefits

Question: What is the starting pay?
Answer: Starting pay for a New Orleans Police Officer is $41,670 annually, which includes the NOPD annual salary, plus the state's annual pay. For additional salary information, click here.

Question: Does having a college degree earn you more money?
Answer: Yes. NOPD pays an annual salary bonus to officers with a college education from accredited colleges and universities as follows:
$1,000 Associate
$2,000 Bachelor
$3,000 Masters and Doctorate

Application Process

Question: How long does it take to become a police officer?
Answer: Individual cases vary; however, the process from initial contact to hire takes three to four months. Click Here for More Information About the Entire Application Process.

Question: How long is the Academy?
Answer: Approximately 18 to 20 weeks.

Question: When will the next Academy start?
Answer: Recruit training is ongoing. Please contact the Recruitment and Applicant Division at (504) 826-1575 for the start date for the next Recruit Class.

Question: Do you have to live at the Academy?
Answer: No, the " Police Academy" basically runs during "banking hours". You train mostly in the daytime, however there is some evening/night instruction.

Question: If I live outside Orleans Parish now, at what point in the application process should I move to become a Parish resident?
Answer: If you already live within a 50 mile range of Orleans Parish, you don't have to move at all, just provide us with a photocopy of your valid driver's license with your current address, and you're good to go. If you live more than 50 miles away, then once you are notified you are eligible for hire, you will have to provide proof that you live within 50 miles from Orleans Parish, you would only have to move once you've been notified that you're eligible for hire.

Question: I've completed some steps in the application process already. How do I find out what the next step is?
Answer: Click Here for a Detailed Outline of the Entire Application Process.

Qualifications

Question: How old do I have to be to apply?
Answer: There is no maximum age limit; however, you must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Question: Can I still be a police officer if I have a been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony or DUI?
Answer: Unfortunately, you may not be a New Orleans Police Officer if you have been convicted of, pled nolo contendere to, or been given probation for any of the following crimes:

• Assault or violence towards the aged, a spouse, incompetent persons or children. Or if you have threatened any such violence.
• Perjury or falsification, including the making of false reports or crimes or falsification of official documents.
• Sexual offenses, including but not limited to, indecent exposure; promoting, procuring, compelling soliciting or engaging in prostitution; corrupting minors (sexual relations with children) molesting; committing sex acts in public, incest, peeping tom and sexual battery.
• Any offense involving violations of civil rights of any person under the Constitution or laws of the United States or any state territory.
• Any theft committed after reaching the age of 18.
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Driving under the influence of any controlled substance used illegally
• Any offense involving possession or use of a firearm
• Any bias-related crime
• Manslaughter
• Hit and Run with Injury
• Fleeing from or eluding police

In addition, you may not apply to be a Police Officer if you have:

• Three or more municipal arrests on separate occasions for any reason.
• Sold, distributed, or manufactured any controlled substance illegally.
• Three or more vehicular accidents in which the applicant was deemed at fault
• Been terminated or forced to resign from any commissioned or recruit/probationary position with a law enforcement agency for disciplinary reasons; resigned a commissioned or recruit/probationary position with a law enforcement agency to avoid potential or proposed adverse disciplinary action or termination or receiving a disability retirement or termination from any law enforcement agency.
• Knowingly and willingly falsified any document concerning any matter.
• Knowingly and willingly made any false statement or been deceptive by statement or omission on the written police application or in any part of the police entry-level selection process.
• Refused to submit to the lie detector examination.
• Demonstrated a history of personality and/or mental disorders as defined in the current edition of the American Psychiatric Association; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, been a patient in a mental institution for personality and/or mental disorders, or received treatment as an out-patient for personality and/or mental disorders.
• Consorted with known criminals.
• Failed the urine test.

Question: Is juvenile arrest history held against the applicants?
Answer: Juvenile arrest history alone does not automatically disqualify an applicant. The type of juvenile arrest history and the applicant's background investigation are considered.

Question: Can I still be a police officer if I have used marijuana in the past?
Answer: You may still be a police officer if you have used marijuana, but ONLY if it was at least three years before the time of application.

Question: Can I still be a police officer if I have used cocaine or other illegal drugs in the past?
Answer: You may not be an NOPD Officer if you have used cocaine or other illegal drugs, besides marijuana at any time in your life.

Question: If I am in the military now, can I apply to be a police officer?
Answer: You may apply to be a police officer if you are in the military, but you must wait until 2 months before discharge to begin the police application process.

Question: Can I apply if I have been dishonorably discharged from the military?
Answer: No. Persons who have been dishonorably discharged from the military are not eligible to be police officers.

Question: Will my credit history stop the process?
Answer: Individual cases vary; however, applicants are given time to clear any problems that are revealed, prior to a decision being rendered.

Question: Can I still be a police officer if I have filed for bankruptcy?
Answer: Your credit history will be checked during the Background Investigation portion of the application process. A poor credit history or bankruptcy is not an automatic disqualifier. Every applicant is given an opportunity to satisfy any credit deficiencies they may have.

Question: Can I still be a police officer if I am not a U.S. citizen.
Answer: Yes. But there are a number of steps you must first take to become eligible for hire in addition to the regular application process. The process for becoming eligible could take up to a year. Click Here for a list of Immigration Employment Standards for Non U.S. Citizens.

Question: Can I still be a police officer if I am here on work or student visa?
Answer: No, you may not apply to be a NOPD officer unless you are a citizen of the United States. Click Here for a list of Immigration Employment Standards for Non U.S. Citizens.

Other

Question: What if I want to work for the NOPD, not as an officer on the street, but in a clerical or other type of position?
Answer: If you do not wish to be a Police Officer, working the street and carrying a firearm, you should apply directly to Civil Service at City Hall, Room BW04.

Question: Are there many female officers?
Answer: Female officers can serve in any capacity and rank, including patrol officers, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and assistant superintendent.
Question: Do I have to live in Orleans Parish to be an NOPD Officer? Answer: No, you do not have to live within Orleans Parish to be an NOPD officer; however, you must live within a 50 mile range of Orleans Parish.

Question: Does my military training allow for any benefits in assignment?
Answer: Military experience is weighed when a police officer is considered for transfer to a Specialized Division such as Task Force, SWAT, Warrant Squad, etc.