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Weekly Feature (#4)

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WEEKLY FEATURE EXTRAS

• Where TPSO stands today:
  
  • We are budgeted to have 267 personnel across all divisions; 229 of those are the uniformed men and women you see on the streets, at the courthouse, in the jail, investigating crimes, serving and processing civil documents, and answering your calls for help.
  • However, currently, we are operating with between 50 and 60 unfilled uniformed positions. The current pay rates have been a significant challenge to recruiting and retaining a professional workforce.
  • Before July 1, 2024, the average uniformed deputy pay rate was $13 an hour. On July 1, Sheriff Sticker was able to increase the rate to around $16 an hour following a budget evaluation and redistribution of funds. A year later, on July 1, 2025, the pay was increased again to between $16-$18 an hour after eliminating budgeted positions we can't fill to redistribute those funds toward the men and women who are steadfast in serving and protecting this parish despite not being compensated anywhere close to what they deserve.
  • We currently have the capability of covering each 12-hour patrol shift with 12 deputies to cover the entire parish, but that's if we're fully staffed. The reality is, at this very moment, on any given shift, there are around seven. That's to cover 823 square miles trying to protect almost 140,000 people (see Weekly Feature #2 for more details on why the entire parish is considered part of our responsibility).
  • We take on an average of 71 calls a shift. That's around six calls an hour. So every single one of our patrol deputies are working one call per hour, if the drive time, response and report creation lasts within an hour's time before they're on to the next call. Odds are, many calls do not resolve in an hour and some require response from more than one deputy.

Weekly Feature (#3)

Please attend one of our upcoming informational meetings to talk with Sheriff Sticker directly about the Funding the Future plan for TPSO.

• Tuesday, Oct. 7 6:30 p.m.
  
  • Eighth Ward Volunteer Fire Department- Station #2, 27475 LA-22, Ponchatoula
• Wednesday, Oct. 8 6:30 p.m.
  
  • The Cafe, 602 3rd Street, Kentwood
• Thursday, Oct. 9 6:30 p.m.
  
  • Cornerstone Church, 108 Campo Lane, Amite

Weekly Feature (#2)

WEEKLY FEATURE EXTRAS

• Training needed to prepare a new TPSO deputy includes:
  
  • Peace Officer Standards Training (P.O.S.T.)- 16 to 18 weeks pending Academy
  • CPR/First Aid
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Use of Force/De-escalation
  • Auto Driving
  • Taser/Chemical Spray Use
  • Prison Rape Elimination Act (P.R.E.A.)
  • Bias-Based Policing
  • Ethics
  • Field Training-16 weeks

• Equipment needed to fully outfit a new TPSO deputy includes:
  
  • Inner Belt, Duty Belt, Belt Keepers
  • Magazine Pouch, Cuff Cases, Taser
  • Gun, Gun Holster, Radio, Radio Holster
  • Weapon Light, Flashlight, OC Spray
  • Body Worn Camera (BWC) and Protective Vest
  • Uniforms (3 Types)
  • Traffic Vest
  • Raincoat
  • Jacket

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Weekly Feature (#1)

WEEKLY FEATURE EXTRAS

• Why are we including all parish residents in the population count? As the primary law enforcement agency for the entire parish, the full population IS our responsibility as Louisiana law considers our jurisdiction the entire parish-- unincorporated AND incorporated areas. The TPSO's statistics for "Assist Other Agency" (AOA) calls support that we do frequently serve within the parish's municipalities which means our manpower is stretched across all 823 square miles and for all 139,000+ of its residents. Some examples-- From July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, there were 428 AOA calls with Hammond Police. That's more than one call a day where TPSO and HPD work together on a call. In Independence, that number is just under 600. In Roseland, it's 321 and in the Villages of Tickfaw and Tangipahoa, the number is between 250-275 each. In Kentwood, it's around 100.
• Some examples of AOA's include when a pursuit leaves a municipality and comes into unincorporated areas, or vice versa; when a large-scale event is planned and a show of force in numbers is needed; and, in too many instances recently, when a crime of violence like a shooting/murder or stabbing occurs and the municipality does not have the expertise or resources to investigate the crime and/or even process the crime scene.
• Let's also talk about the staff we need to serve the jail population which comes from all corners of the parish, and beyond, as well. In that same time frame mentioned above, Hammond PD sent over almost 660 people to be booked in the jail TPSO has to staff; Ponchatoula almost 100; Amite 66; Independence and Kentwood between 30 and 45 each.

• What about the staffing averages for the rest of Tangipahoa Parish's municipal police agencies? Our graphic page couldn't fit them all, however, here is how our local partner agencies stack up to this staffing standard:
  
  • Ponchatoula- Population: 8,000; Department Size: 25
  • Kentwood- Population: 2,240; Department Size: 13
  • Independence- Population: 1,650; Department Size: 8
  • Roseland- Population: 1,234; Department Size: 1
  • Village of Tangipahoa- Population: 771; Department Size: 4
  • Village of Tickfaw- Population: 708; Department Size: 4

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