Acadiana police chiefs share their thoughts on the governor's police shortage state of emergency.

ACADIANA, La. (KLFY) -- Acadiana police chiefs share their thoughts on the governor's police shortage state of emergency.

The executive order brings statewide attention to the urgency to recruit and hire officers and deputies. According to the executive order, agencies nationally are "losing officers faster than they can hire new ones."   

Crowley Police Chief Troy Hebert believes police retention and recruitment involves being able to pay a decent salary especially for smaller departments.  

"Also I definitely would like to see our juveniles and some of that stuff addressed," said Hebert.

He applauds the city council for their approval for a $10,000 pay increase for the city's officers six months ago.

"We were on the verge of collapsing. We had so many leaving. We're down ten officers and when you have only like 24 officers that are actually working the road and you take ten away from there. It was a nightmare when I come into office," Hebert explained.

Carencro Police Chief David Anderson says he was pleased to see Governor Landry's decision.

"We can't find good qualified people when they find out that you are only going to pay them $40,000 and there's a chance they may not be able to come home to their family," Anderson explained.

Chief Hebert expects the governor will meet with law enforcement to talk about plans.  

"The governor is seeing it. That's why he declared a state of emergency.  I'm sure he's going to be meeting with all the sheriffs and chiefs to see if we can come up with a solution," Hebert noted.

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