The mission of the Office of State Police is to ensure the safety and security of the people in the state through enforcement, education, and provision of other essential public safety services.
The goals of the Office of the State Police are:
1. Provide for the protection of lives and property through effective enforcement of laws.
2. Improve selection, development, and utilization of personnel.
3. Develop, implement, and improve programs required by statutes, policies, rules, and regulations.
4. Provide support and assistance to other agencies, both public and private.
The Office of State Police is a statutorily mandated, statewide law enforcement agency originally instituted to enforce the laws of Louisiana relating to motor vehicles and their operation on the streets and highways of the state. However, over the years, this responsibility has been expanded to include all criminal activities occurring within the state, with emphasis on driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrests, speeding arrests, narcotics, and organized crime. This agency also includes the statewide collection and coordination of criminal records, evidence, intelligence and, in general, it acts as the state's main crime-fighting arm. More recent acts have included regulatory authority in the areas of hazardous materials regulation, motor carrier safety, the towing industry, and gaming activities connected to video draw poker, riverboat gambling, the racetrack industry, charitable organizations, and Indian gaming.
The Office of State Police has four programs: Traffic Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigations, Operational Support., and Gaming Enforcement
The following table compares state police manpower and entry level trooper salary in southern/southeastern states.
Source: Population data from U.S. Bureau of the Census; data on numbers of state troopers and number of registered vehicle from Public Safety Services, Louisiana State Police.
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1997 SALARY COMPARISON, ENTRY LEVEL TROOPERS IN SOUTHERN STATES |
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Source: Public Safety Services, Louisiana State Police
This agency's recommended appropriation does not include any funds for short-term debt.
This agency's recommended appropriation includes $1,401,672 for long-term debt. Total long-term debt service payments for the state for Fiscal Year 1998-1999 are reflected in the Governor's Executive Budget Supporting Document in Non-Appropriated Requirements, Schedule 22-922.
This agency's recommended appropriation also includes the following amount by means of financing for payments on the unfunded accrued liability of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System and the State Police Retirement System in accordance with the provisions of Article X, Section 29 of the Constitution of Louisiana: