BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A 25-year veteran of the Louisiana State Police is now the agency’s superintendent.
Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed Capt. Lamar A. Davis to the post on Oct. 30. He succeeds Col. Kevin Reeves, who retired amid ongoing questions about the death of a Black man in the agency’s custody and the secrecy around the encounter that is now subject to a federal civil rights investigation.
“Capt. Davis has led an exemplary career in law enforcement and has earned the respect of his colleagues,” Edwards said in a statement.
“He has accepted this position at a time when our state is facing many challenges, including COVID-19, severe weather and the efforts necessary for recovery and rebuilding,” Edwards said. “I’m grateful that he and his family have agreed to serve the people of our great state, and I look forward to working with him.”
As deputy secretary of public safety, Davis also will oversee the beleaguered Office of Motor Vehicles, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s office.
Davis, 50, has an undergraduate degree from Southern University and a master’s degree from Southern University in New Orleans. For most of his time with state police, he has spent it as a trooper, The Advocate reported. Until Friday, he oversaw the business and technology section of state police. Davis’ previous assignments include highway patrol, criminal investigations, legislation, research and policy.
“I truly appreciate Gov. Edwards for the opportunity presented with this appointment and I am humbled by his confidence,” Davis said in a statement. “I recognize there are challenges ahead and, rest assured, we will be purposeful moving forward.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.