BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – As city leaders take the next steps towards a major pay raise for Baton Rouge police officers and EMS workers, the Baton Rouge City Constable’s Office is pushing to be included, warning that being left out could lead to staffing challenges.
The Metro Council introduced a proposal at a meeting Wednesday, March 25, that would give Baton Rouge Police Department officers at least a 15% pay increase, part of an effort by Mayor-President Sid Edwards to boost recruitment and retention.
But Constable Terrica Williams said her office is already feeling the strain of rising costs without increased pay.
“DEMCO don’t wait, Entergy don’t wait, the gas is going up, groceries are going up, but their paychecks are not going up,” Williams said.
Williams and her officers attended the meeting to advocate for a raise, saying their duties and training are comparable to those of police officers.
Her office handles arrests, serves warrants, operates a jail, and works closely with Baton Rouge City Court. Officers are also POST-certified, meeting many of the same standards as other law enforcement agencies.
Williams said she is not asking for the same pay as BRPD officers, but believes her staff should receive a competitive wage to prevent losing employees to higher-paying departments.
“We have the training, we do the work,” she said. “So why not treat them and give them at least close to what Baton Rouge police are making?”
Williams said her office is already dealing with a reduced budget and fewer positions. Without a pay increase, she fears employees could leave for opportunities with BRPD or other agencies offering better compensation.
Edwards acknowledged those concerns and said raises for the constable’s office, as well as other departments, are being considered.
“The next group I’m looking at is our constable and DPW department,” Edwards said.
However, he did not provide a timeline, noting that funding remains a challenge and any proposal would need council approval.
“Yes, that is definitely my idea, but like anything else, it has to go through the proper channels,” Edwards said. “I just can’t say when.”
Williams said she appreciates the recognition but is looking for more concrete answers.
“I don’t want to hear ‘I can try.’ Just tell me what your plans are,” she said. “If you have a plan, give me the game plan.”
At minimum, Williams said she wants a clear timeline for when her office could see a pay increase.
“Give me something that says one month, two months, next week,” she said. “But I don’t want to hear next year, or maybe, or possibly.”
A public hearing and final vote on the proposed raises are set for April 22.
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