On the same day an Associated Press report stated black officers of the State Police were exposed to racial slurs, Governor John Bel Edwards named Captain Lamar Davis as the next Colonel to run the Louisiana State Police.
Davis takes over for Colonel Kevin Reeves, who steps down Saturday.
“Capt. Davis has led an exemplary career in law enforcement and has earned the respect of his colleagues. I am confident that he will continue to lead this agency with the utmost professionalism and highest standards in order to protect the public’s safety,” Edwards said during a Friday morning press conference.
Davis is a Baton Rouge native and graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge.
He earned a master’s degree from Southern University of New Orleans.
Joining the Louisiana State Police in 1998, Davis moved up in rank and responsibility and is commander of the department’s business and technology section at LSP headquarters in Baton Rouge.
Captain Davis is a member of the U.S. Army who has served active duty and with the Louisiana National Army Guard, he has an extensive background in all aspects of law enforcement.
His previous assignments include Highway Patrol, Criminal Intelligence, Gaming Enforcement, Criminal Investigations, Legislation, Research and Policy.
Davis takes over a department which has been mired in controversy since the death of Ronald Greene, the black motorist who died in police custody after a high speed chase in 2019.
Davis commented on his appointment: "I recognize there are challenges ahead and, rest assured, we will be purposeful moving forward. My administration will be built on trust, externally and internally. I look forward to working daily on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Public Safety and the Louisiana State Police to ensure the safety of the citizens we serve."
