Earlier today, CAO Gilbert Montaño published CAO Policy Memo #148. That policy addressed the 10% pay increase for all city departments during Mardi Gras 2023. We received quite a few phone calls asking about the status of the $26/hr. increase for police personnel that had been mentioned previously.

Last weekend, NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork put out a message saying that she and her team were going to figure out a way to increase the pay for all police personnel during this Mardi Gras. The limitation they were working with was that officers had to be working on contributing to Mardi Gras to qualify for the $26/hr. special rate of pay. This evening, Chief Woodfork called to tell me that they had come up with a plan and it would include every officer.

Chief Woodfork said that all NOPD officers will receive an additional $26/hr for the 2023 Mardi Gras season. The extra pay will start 3 hours before the first parade rolls and stop 3 hours after the last parade is over for any given day.

The FOP would like to thank Chief Woodfork for working this out so everyone can benefit from the special Mardi Gras rate of pay. When you see the Chief walking the parade route, make sure you let her know how much you appreciate it. I also want to thank FOP Labor Chairman Sgt. Willie Jenkins for all of his tireless work representing FOP members. When you see Willie on the parade route, make sure you have a list of things for the Labor Committee to work on to give him.

Have a safe Mardi Gras and don’t forget to have fun. The FOP would like to again thank Superintendent Woodfork and her leadership staff. We would also be remiss if we didn’t thank Personnel Director Amy Trepagnier, CAO Gilbert Montaño, and Mayor Cantrell. All of these City Leaders were more than willing to work with the FOP to benefit all police personnel.

.