They have full arrest powers but instead of patrolling the state’s highways and arresting drug dealers, they patrol the more placid State Capitol complex.
You won’t see them providing security for the governor or trotting onto the field at Tiger Stadium along with Les Miles and the Tiger football team. Nor will you ever see their commander standing stoically behind the governor during press briefings.
They’re not even allowed to head up security at the Capitol during the legislative session. That honor goes to the more glamorous State Police detail.
They have the same arrest powers as the high-profile State Troopers, charged with enforcing the same laws for the benefit of public safety and protection of the state’s citizens while securing the safety of the myriad of state offices.
And they must go through the same training and certification qualifications as State Troopers.
Though Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers conduct investigations and all other duties that State Troopers perform, they are, for all intents and purposes, invisible to all but state employees. Both they and the more prestigious Louisiana State Police (LSP) are part of the Department of Public Safety and both patrol the entire state. But make no mistake, the DPS Police are the stepchildren of DPS.
Held to the same standards as State Troopers, State Capitol Police get the equivalent of table scraps. DPS police patrol throughout the state in patrol cars eight- to 10 years old and with as much as 300,000 miles on them, according to one DPS officer.
State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson, meanwhile, just got a brand new SUV issued to him. “Edmonson tells us over and over that he’s ‘working’ on something,” the DPS officer said. “I guess that ‘something’ was that $43,000 raise he got on August 1. I guess it’s good to be the king when your living expenses are paid by somebody else.”
Despite repeated promises, pay for DPS police officers lags further and further behind that of their counterparts over at Independence Park.
The evidence is right there in black and white for all to see.
Here is the comparison between comparable ranks, based on years of service:
- DPS Police Officer 2: $24,066 to $57,900 per year;
- State Trooper: $46,600 to $94,750;
- DPS Sergeant: $29,500 to $66,300;
- LSP Sergeant: $51,500 to $104,700;
- DPS Lieutenant: $33,758 to $75,920;
- LSP Lieutenant: $56,900 to $115,700.
Adding insult to injury, the DPS pay grid stops at the rank of lieutenant, meaning $75,920 is the most a DPS officer can anticipate making.
The LSP pay grid, on the other hand, keeps going to Captain ($64,750 to $131,670) and major ($69,300 to $140,900).
Edmonson, who was not making the pay grid maximum (he was making $134,351.10), was recently granted a $43,100 pay increase to $177,435.96. The increase was approved by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Chief of Staff Ben Nevers who previously served in the State Senate.
Nevers received $1,500 in campaign contributions from the Louisiana State Troopers Association (LSTA) last year. The controversial contribution was funneled through LSTA Executive Director David Young who was reimbursed by the LSTA.
Others who got raises included Edmonson’s Chief of Staff Charles Dupuy ($140,890.10 to $161,304.78), Jason Starnes (promoted to Lt. Col. And raised in salary from $128,934.26 to $150,751.90, and Deputy Superintendents Adam White, Glenn Staton and Murphy Paul, both receiving raises from $140,900 to $150,750. All this despite an executive order issued by Gov. John Bel Edwards freezing all merit increases from June 29, 2016 through June 29, 2017.
http://www.doa.la.gov/osr/other/JBE%202016/JBE16-32.htm
With the latest glut of increases, Edmonson, Dupuy, Starnes, Staton, Paul and White all now make salaries that exceed the maximums on the State Police pay grid.
When Edmonson came to the Louisiana State Police Commission last month with the proposal to create the new position to which Starnes was approved by the LSPA last week, he told commission members there would be no additional costs but Starnes got an immediate increase of $21,850. Moreover, the opening for the new post was never formally announced, thus barring others the opportunity to apply for the position.
LouisianaVoice has learned that several legislators are upset at the latest pay raises, Edmonson’s in particular, and that the Legislative Fiscal Office has begun inquiries as to who authorized them.
This gambit comes only two years after a furtive attempt to increase Edmonson’s retirement benefits by $55,000 per year despite his having locked his retirement years before by opting to participate in the former Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).
LouisianaVoice learned of the attempt, made via an amendment to an obscure bill in the closing hours of the 2014 legislative session. That attempt, from which Edmonson attempted to disassociate himself, was thwarted by a combination of negative public reaction and by a lawsuit filed by State Sen. Dan Claitor (R-Baton Rouge).
But now he’s back and time it looks as though he may have focused unwanted attention on himself and his agency.
Sometimes it’s best to keep a low profile, but in the case of DPS, it certainly hasn’t been very profitable—or fair.
Louisiana Voice 
I am absolutely convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that Louisiana Dormat Governor John Bel ‘Honor Code’ Edwards reached the conclusion after about 30 days in office that it’s impossible for him to win re-election in 2019 and, upon coming to that realization, he opted for the laissez les bon temps rouler approach to governing.
Also, not to worry. About 400 layoff notices were issued to private-sector workers. I’m sure these folks are happy to make that small sacrifice of their jobs to ensure Jay Dardenne’s lucrative $17,000/month retirement pension and Col. Edmonson’s $15,000 a month swan song along with his buddies. It’s the very least those 400 workers can do for all the sacrifices Jay and the Colonel have made throughout their many years in public service.
A good friend of mine is a Republican state senator from Bossier. He is buds with JBE. They are both under the illusion that he will easily win re-election and then run for the White House. Not kidding.
Yet another similarity to Jindal then! He has surrounded himself with many of the SAME a– kissers, so he shouldn’t be shocked when he suffers the same fate. I’m glad he’s not term-limited because I want him to be able to quantify the magnitude of his disasterous term. We were denied that pleasure for Jindal since he was term-limited.
I’m going to make a bold prediction. JBE will face Democratic opposition in 2919! Who? My money is on Kip Holden. I think Holden has him sized him up for the fraud that he is (when they rarely appear together, it’s a frosty mere tolerance for one another). Such a development will siphon off 85% or more of JBE’s black support, thus ensuring his demise in failing to even make the runoff. Nobody has pulled that off since Buddy Roemer in 1991, and 2019 won’t require the oddity of EWE and Duke as was the case back then.
NOW DPS OFFICERS CAN AWAIT ANOTHER DEPARTMENT WIDE E-MAIL THAT COLONEL MIKE EDNONSON IS DISHEARTENED BY THE FACT THAT WE AS MEN/WOMEN WOULD SPEAK UP FOR OURSELVES. IT WOULD ALSO GO ON TO EMPHASIZE THAT HE AND HIS CRONIES ARE AWARE OF THE DEFICIENCIES IN PAY BETWEEN LSP & DPS. COLONEL LET ME REMIND YOU DPS KNOW’S YOU’RE AWARE. “YOU CREATED THOSE DEFICIENCIES, REMEMBER”?
And we called Jindal a Little Weasel. Now, in comparison to Governor JBE, Jindal looks like Charles Atlas. Everyone feared and disliked Jindal. No one fears Edwards and few seem to like him. I just don’t understand all this Honor Code association with Edwards. Was he appointed to that lofty position at West Point because others knew that he was a pushover and would let them get away with anything with only a slight tap on the wrist? If his current posture as Governor is any indication of his past, that seems to be the case. It looks like in the next Legislative Session JBE will be so weak that he might as well go on vacation during the session. He certainly isn’t going to be a leader.
There are several different sections of DPS Police officers. You have Weights and Standards/MVI, Towing and Recovery, Crescent City Connection, DPS Police Capitol Detail, Physical Security, State Facilities Services and Investigators. They have DPS Investigators in Narcotics, Insurance Fraud, Criminal Investigations, etc. DPS Police Officers are employed by State Police, given the same power and authority of a State Trooper, held to the same standards and training requirements as a State Trooper. DPS Police Officers are all Post Certified and have a State Police Commission which gives them state wide jurisdiction. DPS Officers attend yearly “In-service” training where they train along with LSP Troopers in several areas. DPS Officers are also required to attend quarterly firearms training. DPS Officers are required by State Police to attend the training and be as proficient as the Troopers. DPS Police Officers also adhere to LSP Policy and Procedures. DPS Police Officers are charged with numerous jobs under LSP
The DPS Officers assigned to the Towing and Recovery Section are responsible for conducting annual inspections and investigating complaints from the public on all licensed towing and storage facilities.
The DPS Officers assigned to the Weights and Standards Section are responsible for the protection of the motoring public and the highway infrastructures of the State of Louisiana. This is accomplished by ensuring that commercial vehicle traffic is in compliance with statutory provisions of laws regulating weight, size, and registration. The Weights and Standards DPS Officers have received additional training in Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations and federal hazardous material regulations.
DPS Officers assigned to the Capitol Complex area answer calls for service in and around State Buildings. They work traffic crashes and have responded to calls for Bomb Threats, Weapons, Fire Alarms, Domestic Disturbances, Medical Emergencies and Complaints. DPS Officers patrol the area streets and issue citations for Speeding, Parking Violations, and any other traffic violations as needed. DPS Officers also make arrests for Drug related crimes, Vehicle Theft, Violent Crimes, DWIs and execute Warrants. They, like all sections with DPS Police, haven’t been able to protect and serve the community as much as they once did because their positions have been cut in half. Anytime a DPS Officer quits, retires, etc, the position is taken and not able to be filled.
DPS Officers assigned to the MVI Section are responsible for regulating and inspecting all Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations, Approval of Window Tint Waivers (Medical and Security), and performing Motor Carrier Safety Inspections. Officers are responsible for conducting audits of 1700 MVI stations across the state.
DPS Officers (with the title of State Police Investigators) also work side by side with LSP Troopers in Narcotics, Insurance Fraud, and Criminal Investigations. These Investigators are also assigned to several other special sections of State Police. Officers with DPS Police can go to the rank of Captain. A Master Trooper with 22 years maxes out his pay at $94,748.53 a year. A Master Trooper is not a supervisor. A Captain with DPS Police maxes out his pay at $86,923 a year. A DPS Captain is the commander over an entire section.
All State Employees were not given their yearly merit increases for several years while Bobby Jindal was the governor. Troopers have received several pay increases that everyone knows about, but what people don’t know about is that before the 20% they received before the 2015 Legislative Session, they were given a raise for the past yearly merit increases they missed so that their pay was back to where it was supposed to be.
Employees with the Department of Public Safety haven’t received any pay increase whatsoever!!!! Everyone thinks that DPS Police Officers were part of it when in fact they were not. With State Insurance premiums increasing yearly and the cost of living steady rising, DPS Police Officers have to rely on overtime just to pay bills. DPS Police officers are worried about saying anything because they know that they will be targeted. Now that it’s out I guess it doesn’t matter.
All DPS Officers are asking is that they receive their past merit increases that they lost and a cost of living increase. They are not requesting a pay raise of more than 40%; they just want their yearly merit increase they missed so that they can provide for their families.
Good Luck Guys and Gals. I don’t need to remind you of what happens when you “Rock the Blue Wagon.” They did it in 2002, when they abolished an entire section of DPS, for speaking the truth. Find a lawyer who is not already on Mike’s payroll and try your luck thru the Court System. Don’t bother calling your Senator or State Rep. The Colonel already owns them.
WOW! Looks like the bloom is off the flower with John Bel – even among his Democratic brothers and after only eight months.
From: Mike Edmonson
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2014 5:19 PM
To: _DPS_Commissioned Personnel_DPSPolice
Subject: Personal Note
As you likely noticed, several e-mails have been sent to all commissioned personnel over the last few weeks discussing HB 872 and how that piece of legislation impacts troopers. Apparently those e-mails have fueled concerns and in some cases discontent within the ranks of DPS police. Let me reassure all of you that you remain a very important part of the DPS family and while HB 872 does not specifically affect you, my staff and I are well aware of the deficiencies within your current pay ranges.
The “fix” for that problem is somewhat more complicated than the “fix” for State Police because DPS personnel are part of the Civil Service classified service while troopers are part of the State Police classified service. Adjustments to State Police salaries may be made independent of Civil Service and thus do not affect the parity of all other employees who are part of that classified service, typically a major impediment to salary adjustments. We are however undeterred by the challenges of operating within the current structure of Civil Service and I have directed the staff of Operational Development to begin evaluating and analyzing the current pay levels for DPS police officers. In particular we want to identify which other Civil Service positions are similar in minimum qualifications and duties and thereafter evaluate the salary schedules of those positions in comparison to ours.
It should be noted that all eligible DPS officers received their 4% merit adjustments last year and will receive another this year amounting to an 8% total salary increase. Troopers, on the other hand, received anywhere from 0-3% merit adjustments. Moreover, the approval of HB 872 by the legislature is only the preliminary step in implementing a new pay grid for troopers. The new fund established to achieve that goal has a current balance of zero. We fully anticipate that sufficient monies will be accumulated over time to make the new grid a reality, but like the study and adjustment of DPS salaries, it will take time.
I understand the financial urgency that some of you feel at being improperly compensated and the frustration with the required process. But it has been disheartening to me that some within the ranks of DPS have seen fit to anonymously complain to legislators, the media and others outside our organization about feeling neglected and mistreated. Such communications are counterproductive to our efforts and can actually undermine our attempts to make adjustments to DPS salaries by drawing unnecessary attention to our plans. Please understand that such communications put at risk the success of our efforts on your behalf.
The study by Operational Development is the first step in what can sometimes be a laborious process but we will move as quickly as possible at finding an appropriate solution. Once our recommendations are finalized we will work with Civil Service in an effort to address the compensation issues. I will personally appear on your behalf before the Commission to make the case for pay adjustments. I pledge to keep you informed of our progress and I would ask that you be patient during this process and have faith in me and my staff as I do in each of you.
Be safe and may God continue to bless our families and guide each one of us. I will be visiting your sections soon.
Colonel Michael D. Edmonson
Tom, Your reporting has reached a new level of recognition by ‘the other side’. It’s so good to see so many Shills commenting on your and our blog. This only means one thing, L.V. is seen as an actual threat to their agenda because L.V. is hitting the bull eye(s). Congratulations to Tom, his other contributors and all us daily readers and supporters for making this possible. To the shills – please keep posting as you have been, it provides the L.V. community with more energy and determination. To the non-shill conservative commentors, we truly appreciate and welcome your counter comments that have actual merit vs hyperbole.
I’ve not condemned him to purgatory as some here have. Much of what I’ve written about Edmonson and Troy Hebert dates far back into the Jindal administration. And to his credit, when the controversy over the campaign contributions by the State Troopers Association broke, Edwards returned his contribution. Jindal did not—just as he never returned other tainted contributions documented by LouisinaVoice. My ONLY quarrel with Edwards is his decision to re-appoint Edmonson and the appointment of Robert Adley to head LOOP. He has been working hard on behalf of flood victims whereas Jindal would only have wanted face time on the CNN and Fox cameras.
From a personal standpoint, I am more than satisfied at the overall job performance of Edwards. But when I feel he is wrong (and he knows this), I’m going to say so. And I have and will be writing about some of his other appointments. I’m disappointed in seeing the same old names and faces showing up as political re-runs.
As for this current debacle over Edmonson’s pay raise, it’s still not entirely clear how and where that originated. Was it Edwards, was it Nevers? We’re not sure as facts are still emerging. Meanwhile, we’re still digging.
While there is a great difference in pay, these men in grey knew the wages they would be paid when they were hired. These brave men in the W/S Section of La DOTD patrolled for many years-unarmed. Until the move to DPS they had little to no formal training in defensive tactics or firearms. Granted, there were mistakes made during the take over. However, they were given better equipment to work with. A large portion of this section was placed in POST-certified academies and attended numerous Federal Training Courses. In the current economy, if you have a job-you are blessed. While you were at the LSP Academy for retrainer (something you never saw at La DOTD) there was a sign there that spoke of “Loyalty”! To be loyal to the entity you work for or resign (sic) and go somewhere else. Be loyal to the DPS/LSP or drag up!
The thing that many people seem to forget is that loyalty is a two-way street. These men had been promised pay raises which never have materialized.
The same thing can be said about you when you took this job. Unless you have a crystal ball, you did not continue to work here knowing you were going to get a 47% pay increase in less than 2 years. You worked here because it was your job. Oh maybe you are one of Mikey’s boys and knew the large raise would be in the works. These men and women don’t have a problem with you and other Troopers getting a raise, but could the Colonel throw a couple a few crumbs their way. All the men and women in the DPS Family (as the Colonel likes to call it) have a family to feed and bills to pay, not just Troopers. To set the record straight, not all the DPS Officers came from the W/S Section. Some came here from other police agencies where they were making arrest and dealing with real criminals while you were wearing diapers. Not everyone wants to be a traffic cop for their entire careers. Some of us have made more arrest then you will ever make in your entire career. I have some good friends that work for LSP and they were Deputies and Officers in other departments and they will tell you (not publicly) that there is more to police work than DWI and traffic tickets. The real police do REAL police work and don’t always ask to be THE HIGHEST PAID. Oh most people don’t realize that state law requires LSP to be the highest paid. I guess i need to read that law again, it must also state that DPS must be the lowest paid.
Loyalty. Were you loyal before or after your 42% increase. You were probably the one who was posting on Facebook, Louisiana Trooper Underground bad mouthing the Colonel. That was until you got your LOYALTY RAISE.
I agree on the inequity in pay. I see there is no mention in the retroactive increase in their retirement from a meager 2% to the 3 1/3% annual rate. That is huge. Most members of W/S had 15 or more years of service when the take over occurred. The pay raise they received in their retirement is not a subject to over look. But again the pay equity is a big deal as overtime does not go towards your retirement assessment. Col. Edmonson is not the only Superintendent that has been involved in the transition of these good men. The ball was dropped in the transition after Col. Whittington retired. I know in my heart of hearts that Col. Edmonson has done his best for the entire DPS family. During the transition from La DOTD to DPS and during the transition of Superintendents; certain details were over looked (ie) civil service vs LSP Commission. Sgt. Dewayne White (LSP) had the chance, along with Sgt. Kevin Duval (LSP) to “recover the fumble” but failed to do so. Also, the changes in Captains has not benefited the “grey shirts”. They have served under over half a dozen LSP Captains(some who were un to the fate of the “grey shirts”). To lay this issue at the feet of one man is unfair.
Better Man? Something tells me not! It’s probably Mikie himself or someone trying to jockey for a better place in which to place their lips on the Colonels gold plated arse.
The bottom line is this, the Colonel promised the DPS a pay raise and failed to produce one. The dirty little secret is that, according to some state Representatives, the DPS WAS supposed to be included in the last round of raises but the funds were diverted to give the troopers LARGER raises.Is that your version of loyalty sir?
DPS Police has came a long way “Better Man.” When DPS’s retirement was brought up from 2 1/2 to 3 1/3 in 2006, that was not the doing of LSP. That didn’t cost them anything. DPS police officers are not wanting to be brought up to the same pay as a Trooper. They only want the past merit increases they lost. They are not putting everything on Edmonson, it just so happens that he has been the superintendent since all Department of Public Safety didn’t get the yearly merits. Also, with him sending the email over 2 years ago stating that he and his staff are working on something, they have yet to be told what it is or anything. When asked, all you are told is, We are working on something”. It’s just wrong that Troopers were given the raises, not to mention the past merit increases that they lost, and The entire Department of Public Safety was given nothing. As stated before, with the cost of living steadily rising and insurance always going up, it’s getting tough for employees to just keep there heads above the water.
Perhaps you should make an inquiry to LASERS and see what their input was in any major increases in the wages of the “grey shirts”. How their board felt about the impact on the retirement system and its liquidity- should the wages of the DPS increase by 20%. This along with the 3 1/3 % retirement rate would have a great impact on it’s ability to pay the good folks who have already retired and are living on fixed incomes.
The release of an email stating that he(The Colonel) was working on something was obviously premature and an error. And veiled threats are also wrong. The truth of the matter is that there are two sections of The Department of Public, Office of the State Police doing the same job (MCSAP) with a very uneven pay scale. My objection would be this fact.
The Fair Labor Standards Act mandates that two people doing the same job shall be paid the same wage. It is geared towards sexual/racial discrimination, but who knows?. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 is also a good place to start.
With a good Civil Service Attorney you could give LSP a run for their money…….but……you will win the battle and lose the war! With the distribution of scales to all of MCSAP Troopers, that should bethe handwriting on the wall. Can you say hello pit scales-goodbye overtime and units? The ball is in your court-kick it!
Well better man, you have demonstrated some of the true core values of the LSP, that is to use threats and intimidation to silence those that would disagree with the agency’s propaganda. Several organizations have done this very thing in the past. One such organization was known as the Gestapo. Is the LSP planning on issuing jack boots and brown shirts anytime in the future? They sure would fit in with the current attitude.
If the Colonel really wanted to alleviate some of this discontent and bad will with the DPS, he should come out and plainly state that he tried to get them a pay raise but failed. He should also state exactly why he failed and what obstacles he faced while attempting to secure this raise. Simple isn’t it? The DPS officers wouldn’t like it but at least it would be more respectable than spilling lie after lie to them. The ole “we’re working on something for you” thing really has made the Colonel a joke and ruined not only his credibility, but also that of the whole LSP as a whole.
So threaten and intimidate if you wish. You are only reinforcing what everyone already knows. As far as the ball being in the DPS’s court, just remember, YOU are the ones that dropped it.
Better man seems as if he’s the one who has his hand in the Col. back pocket At all times. From the sound of it, you must be one of his puppets who knows nothing about police work, and most likely has never made a traffic stop in your career. I’m sure The only reason you are where you are in your career is, well, we won’t go there right now. DPS is a family, no thanks to the blue shirts. They love DPS when it benefits them but any other time, DPS are overlooked. Look up the stats between the two departments. LSP you’ll see a whole bunch of tickets issued. If you’re curious what real police work looks like, check out the stats of DPS. Or better yet, compare your own stats to one in DPS. You’d lose. They aren’t asking to make what LSP makes. What they are asking, is that the Col. stop getting on TV and saying how they are all one big happy family to the public, then toss them to the wolves. Also, nice threatening comments you made there, “better man.” Everyone knows that’s how LSP works. It’s no surprise. If it’s not how they want it, well sorry, you lose. If you’re really so high on the core values of LSP and speaking of loyalty, don’t let that be the only one you speak of. Remind yourself of the other values that are enstilled into you. Obviously you forgot them.
All of this is good and well but the sad part about it is not everyone reads the Louisiana Voice. But if by some chance this gets to the media i.e. The Advocate, Channel 10 and Channel 3 News. the Situation may change but for right now, it will probably only make things worse for DPS. So DPS be prepeared for the backlash of the Blue shirt.