Port Allen sees exodus of police officers

PORT ALLEN (AP) — Port Allen leaders say the steady exodus of officers from the city’s police force appears to be slowing, but Police Chief Esdron Brown says he needs more resources to keep other officers from leaving for better jobs.
Records show 12 officers have left since Brown took over as police chief in January 2013.
Brown says he hopes to have the department fully staffed soon with 16 officers and said the high turnover during his first two years in office wasn’t the result of anything he did.
Brown says at least two officers left recently for jobs with the Brusly Police Department, where they earn slightly higher annual salary. Most entry-level police officers earn about $34,000 annually in Port Allen.