NEW ORLEANS — Ready or not, local leaders say the National Guard is coming to New Orleans, but questions remain about what they will do once they arrive.

Former NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas, who served 25 years with the New Orleans Police Department, four of them as chief, has worked alongside the National Guard before.

“It’s very common for the National Guard to assist local and state authorities,” Serpas said.

However, he explained that Guardsmen don’t have the same authority as police officers.

“In this case, if there’s no declaration of an authority granted under a very specific law, the National Guard cannot arrest people. They cannot detain people,” he said.

Still, Serpas said the Guard’s presence alone could make a difference.

“What they would be doing is providing a visible presen

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