Tough Times in the Big Easy

So it begins. In order to clean up New Orleans and make it an attractive place to do business in the future, the police department has to clean up its act. So, the firing of 45 officers who abandoned their posts during and after the storm is a first step. As is the firing of six civilians.

More than 200 remain under investigation.

Additionally, 15 officers are under investigation for looting. Riley said he also has received 45 letters of resignation from officers citing "personal reasons," ranging from relocation with family members to landing new jobs.

What is missing from this picture? The size of the police force before and after these actions were taken.

From the official NOPD website, I came up with a figure of 1640 officers in 2002. That's the latest figure I could find quickly. So, out of 1640 officers, a total of 305 are under a cloud of suspicion, fired, or resigned. That's 18% of the police force. A CNN article cites a figure of 1450 officers, which would mean that with the 305 officers who have either been fired, quit, or still under investigation, more than 21% of the force is under a cloud.

And that number is expected to rise.

UPDATE:
Cross posted at Carnival of the Trackbacks, Wizbang style.

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