Bossier City Moves to Add 10 Police, 10 Firefighters 

Bossier City is making a major public safety push, with plans to add 10 police officers and 10 firefighters. Mayor Tommy Chandler told KEEL News on Monday that the move is designed to keep pace with a growing city, bigger crowds at entertainment venues, and the long-term need to stay ahead of retirements instead of scrambling to fill gaps later. 

A Bigger Investment in Bossier Public Safety 

According to Chandler, Bossier currently has 214 police officers and 206 firefighters. Adding 10 more positions to each department would raise those totals to 224 police officers and 216 firefighters. He said that kind of increase has not happened before in this way, and he framed it as a direct investment in safety for residents and visitors alike. 

That matters in a city like Bossier, where traffic around casinos, the Louisiana Boardwalk, festivals, and special events can put extra strain on first responders. Chandler said public safety remains the top priority for his administration, and this hiring plan is meant to strengthen both emergency response and everyday coverage across the city. 

Why Bossier City Wants To Hire Now 

One of the biggest points from Chandler’s interview was timing. He said the city wants to get people into the pipeline now because academy training takes time. In simple terms, these are not positions that can be filled overnight. 

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That forward-looking approach could help Bossier avoid the staffing crunch other cities have faced when retirements pile up faster than new recruits can be trained. Chandler also said Bossier has continued to attract applicants and believes the city remains competitive when it comes to pay and the overall work environment. 

What It Means For Bossier Residents 

For people who live in Bossier City, this is less about a headline number and more about response times, manpower, and consistency. More officers can mean stronger patrol coverage and less pressure on existing staff. More firefighters can mean better coverage for fire, rescue, and medical calls, especially as the city continues to grow. 

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The Bossier City Council reportedly backed the move unanimously, which gives the plan a level of momentum that stands out. The city is also actively posting police and fire opportunities, which suggests this is not just talk. It is a real recruitment push. 

For residents, the message is pretty simple. City leaders are signaling that as Bossier grows, they want public safety staffing to grow with it.