I'd be interested in the 'real number' for New Orleans building inspectors. I know that historically their municipal police force is the lowest paid of any major city. Considering all the patronage games that get played in New Orleans I wouldn't be surprised if when the number comes out that they are also massively underpaid and unqualified for what they are doing.
That could be the case. It might also be they are pressured to show a certain number of inspections a day and that means those inspections get hurried. On big jobs contractors usually get penalized if it goes beyond a set number of days. So delays because of failed inspections can mean a major loss of income. You can be sure those contractors have the ear of city politicians who likely let the building department know they should not be so “fussy” about certain things.