Louisiana State Troopers Seeking First Raise Since 2002

It is one of the most demanding jobs in the workforce. A job that requires intelligence, training, physical abilities, great judgement, compassion, and a willingness to put your life on the line. The job is that of a Louisiana State Trooper. I have to admit I found it very hard to believe and totally unacceptable that Louisiana's front line officers have not been granted a pay increase since 2002. Hopefully that is about to change.

Colonel Mike Edmonson has asked for authorization from the state legislature to spend money that has been collected throughout the state for state police salaries. This money has come from fines collected from motorist who were convicted of driving with expired automobile insurance. An act by the state legislature in approved in the last session authorized the collection of the money. Col. Edmonson is now asking the legislature for authorization to spend the money for the reason it was collected.

"All we're asking of the same body that's already approved the fund is to be able to spend those dollars,"

Edmonson, made those comments in a story reported by the Louisiana Radio Network. He went on to say that the increase of about 30% would boost starting the starting salary for a State Trooper from $35,600 annually to $46,000 per year.

There have been rumblings by some saying the timing of the increase is unfortunate because of state budget woes. But Edmonson says the men and women in his department have been patient and are very deserving of the increase.

"We have not had a pay adjustment since 2002, and now is the time.Everything I've asked my troopers to do, they have done."

While there has been an undercurrent of negativity, Edmonson says none of those negative comments have come from the legislature which much approve the authorization to spend the money. Since the money has already been collected, it only makes sense that it should be used for the purpose it was collected.

Filed Under: col mike edmonson, louisiana state police, state legislature

Categories: Political