Louisiana Police Badge Requirements & Regulations Guide
Complete guide to POST certification standards for the Pelican State—America’s only state with parishes instead of counties
Louisiana law enforcement badges are governed by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). All sworn officers must be POST-certified. Louisiana is the ONLY state that uses parishes instead of counties—64 parishes, each with an elected sheriff. New Orleans Police is the largest municipal department. Louisiana’s humid Gulf Coast climate creates significant badge durability challenges.
Louisiana is the ONLY U.S. state that uses parishes instead of counties. This reflects Louisiana’s French and Spanish colonial heritage and its civil law traditions (based on the Napoleonic Code rather than English common law). There are 64 parishes, each with an elected sheriff. Parish sheriffs in Louisiana are extremely powerful—they typically operate the largest law enforcement agency in their parish and control the parish jail.
- Approximately 16,000 sworn law enforcement officers statewide
- 64 parish sheriff offices (parishes, not counties)
- Over 300 municipal police departments
- Louisiana State Police: ~1,100 troopers
- 25th most populous state with 4.6 million residents
- POST minimum training: 400 hours for certification
Louisiana Law Enforcement Overview
Louisiana’s unique parish system creates powerful elected sheriffs who typically dominate local law enforcement. In many parishes, the sheriff’s office is significantly larger than municipal police departments and provides primary law enforcement for the entire parish.
Louisiana State Police provides highway patrol and investigative services statewide. New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is the largest municipal force and operates somewhat independently given the city’s unique size and challenges.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is one of the largest sheriff offices in the South, serving the populous New Orleans suburb of Metairie and surrounding areas.
Louisiana Badge Traditions & Styles
Louisiana follows Southern badge traditions. All 64 parish sheriffs use star-shaped badges, while municipal police use shield designs. Many Louisiana badges incorporate French fleur-de-lis symbols reflecting the state’s heritage.
| Agency | Type | Officers | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Police | Municipal | ~1,200 | Shield |
| Louisiana State Police | State | ~1,100 | State Badge |
| Jefferson Parish Sheriff | Parish | ~1,000 | Star |
| East Baton Rouge Sheriff | Parish | ~800 | Star |
Climate Considerations
Louisiana’s Gulf Coast climate is brutal on badges—extreme humidity, salt air in coastal areas, and frequent flooding create one of the most challenging environments for badge durability. ALWAYS specify hard enamel with marine-grade plating (25+ mils), and consider corrosion-resistant finishes. Many Louisiana agencies report faster badge degradation than national averages.
- Louisiana uses parishes (64), not counties—unique in the U.S.
- Parish sheriffs are extremely powerful in Louisiana
- POST certification required for all sworn officers
- Gulf Coast climate demands premium badge materials
The Bottom Line
Louisiana’s unique parish system and Gulf Coast climate create distinct law enforcement and badge durability challenges. For custom badge orders, see our badge procurement guide.