Infrastructure Protection Operations
FPA Police as the 24/7 field protection of the flood-defense system
Flood infrastructure security is the primary mission
Police operations are an integrated component of flood protection, providing continuous 24/7 monitoring, real-time deficiency reporting, and field support that preserves the operability of the regional flood-defense system. Every commissioned officer is a CPRA Certified Levee Inspector, making the police districts the only division within the agency conducting proactive levee inspections around the clock.
Continued investment in the police districts is, in practical effect, an infrastructure-focused investment in the protection, operability, and continuity of approximately $7 billion in flood-protection infrastructure and related Authority assets.
2025 at a glance
Infrastructure monitoring activity
How 91,577 field activities map onto the flood-protection system
Flood Structures
Routine inspection and access control at flood gates, pump stations, and surge-related river infrastructure.
- Flood gate checks31,548
- Pump station / reach checks13,121
- River batture checks2,745
Levee System
Direct levee surveillance: polders, formal inspections, gauge readings, and remote-area checks.
- Polder checks10,688
- Gauge readings2,523
- Bayou Bienvenue checks2,333
- Levee inspections / condition checks373
FPA Facilities
Security checks at Authority facilities, shelters, and waterfront properties.
- Shelter checks8,949
- Marina checks6,896
- Franklin Ave / East Jefferson facility checks4,031
Surrounding Patrol Coverage
Patrol presence in adjacent neighborhoods and public access areas within district jurisdiction.
- Neighborhood patrol / checks7,784
Engineering & Maintenance Support
Direct field support for operations and maintenance teams: traffic control during gate exercises and inspections, and maintenance escorts.
- Traffic control during maintenance / gate exercises531
- FPA maintenance escorts55
Levee and system awareness
Only division running proactive 24/7 levee inspections
373 formal levee inspections logged in 2025, plus continuous proactive checks during every shift.
- ✓Every commissioned officer is a CPRA Certified Levee Inspector.
- ✓Proactive levee inspections run around the clock, every day of the year.
- ✓Deficiencies and irregularities are reported to Maintenance and Engineering in real time.
- ✓Police are an immediate set of trained eyes on the flood-protection system.
Operational outcomes
Infrastructure-focused results
Cross-training with local, state, and federal partners unifies response methodology, supports neighboring municipalities when called, and strengthens first-on-scene effectiveness.
Visible patrol presence, repeated infrastructure checks, and 24/7 monitoring deter theft, sabotage, and tampering, protecting the operability of the flood-defense system.
Workforce context
Orleans Levee District Police Department (OLDPD)
- Pre-Katrina
- 85 positions
- July 2024
- 26 positions
- Current
- 35 positions
55 officers · 4 dispatchers · 2 admin · 24 reserves
19 officers · 4 dispatchers · 3 reserves
27 officers · 4 dispatchers · 4 reserves
East Jefferson Levee District Police Department (EJLDPD)
- Pre-Katrina
- 27 positions
- 2024
- 19 positions
- Current
- 21 positions
1 Chief · 2 Captains · 24 platoon officers
1 Captain · 2 admin · 16 platoon officers
1 Captain · 1 admin · 19 platoon officers
What proactive patrols help prevent
In a recent neighboring-agency incident in Jefferson Parish, multiple suspects stole diesel fuel and copper wiring from West Bank drainage pump stations. The thefts disabled four pumps for at least a week and resulted in the loss of 6,400 gallons of diesel fuel and roughly $60,000 in wiring and conduit. A similar incident at one of the Authority's PCCP or Complex Structures could impair flood-response readiness, delay emergency capability, and strain Maintenance and Engineering resources well beyond the cost of the stolen materials.