NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The New Orleans City Council has dumped the city’s domicile rule for first responders, allowing them to live where they please unlike other city employees who are required to live in Orleans Parish.
The council voted 6-1 Thursday to eliminate the rule for police, firefighters, and EMS technicians, contending it was hampering efforts to recruit and retain police.
The New Orleans Advocate reports (https://bit.ly/1jx4qHZ ) the long-standing policy was suspended for seven years after Hurricane Katrina before going back into effect last year. It was initially approved based on the idea that city workers who live in New Orleans are more invested in their community.
Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas says the change will “provide for a larger pool of applicants” for police jobs, including lateral hires from nearby law enforcement agencies.
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Information from: The New Orleans Advocate, https://www.neworleansadvocate.com
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