Louisiana State Police announced Saturday that every trooper assigned to Troop NOLA now carries an extra credential: they have been cross-deputized as FBI task force officers. The move lets those troopers work side by side with federal agents on multi-jurisdictional investigations, which state officials say is aimed squarely at violent crime in New Orleans neighborhoods.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Louisiana State Police said the cross-deputization "strengthens our shared efforts to combat violent crime and protect the communities we serve," and confirmed that all Troop NOLA troopers are now designated task force officers. The post featured photos of troopers alongside FBI personnel and described the new arrangement as a formal cross-deputization.
What Being a Task Force Officer Actually Does
Task force officers, or TFOs, are state or local officers detailed to federal task forces so they can plug directly into federal investigations, intelligence-sharing and prosecutorial tools under a memorandum of understanding. As the U.S. Attorney’s Office has put it in describing a regional homeland security task force in New Orleans, "Our agents and task force officers are using their collective knowledge and expertise to stop criminal activity in its tracks." U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Troop NOLA's Footprint in the City
Troop NOLA launched in March 2024 and has been deployed for proactive patrols, traffic enforcement and what officials describe as intelligence-led investigations. State officials and local reporting credit the troop with hundreds of arrests and seizures, including roughly 500 arrests in its first year. WVUE reported those figures, while Hoodline has followed the unit’s canine teams and joint operations. One recent story spotlighted Troop NOLA’s K-9 Dax running down suspects across New Orleans.
Local Reaction and Oversight Questions
Moves like this often raise questions about who is actually in charge when local officers are working under federal authority. In February, Mayor Helena Moreno signed an executive order that bars city agencies from entering into ICE 287(g) deputization agreements, a different kind of federal partnership that lets local officers enforce immigration law. That decision was covered by local outlets; WDSU reported on the mayor’s action.
National advocacy and litigation groups have also flagged gaps in accountability for cross-deputized task force officers. The Institute for Justice has highlighted those concerns through its Mohamud v. Weyker case, which centers on task force immunity and oversight. Institute for Justice.
What to Watch Next
Louisiana State Police did not release an operational timeline with the Facebook announcement, and officials have not publicly posted additional procedural details about how the cross-deputizations will function day to day.
Residents with tips, questions or concerns are being directed to reach out to federal or state authorities. The FBI lists a 24/7 tip line for its local field office on its website. FBI New Orleans.
