Photograph: Lafayette Police Chief Judith Estorge stands at the podium with officers of the Lafayette Police Department.
CAROLA LILLIE HARTLEY
Publisher and Contributing Writer
Lafayette Mayor President Josh Guillory introduced Judith Estorge as the city’s new Police Chief on Friday at a press conference held at the city’s police department.
“Lafayette was blessed with three solid and quality candidates for this position,” Lafayette Mayor-President Guillory said. “It was a very difficult decision. I have no doubt Chief Estorge will lead the department with full excellence,” he added.
The appointment of Judith Estorge to that position is historic. She is the first woman to serve as Chief of the Lafayette Police Department.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Asked how it felt to be the first woman chief in the city’s history, Estorge said she is proud to be taking over as the first woman to hold the post of Lafayette Police Chief.
“It is an incredible feeling and an incredible experience,” she said. “The support I’ve received from my officers and my family has been overwhelming.”
A native of Lafayette, Estorge studied criminal justice at UL Lafayette and worked her way up the ranks of the Lafayette Police Department since 1993, most recently as commander of precinct 4.
“I was born and raised here in Lafayette, and I have worked for the Lafayette Police Department for 29 years,” Estorge said. “Throughout the course of my career I have served the force in many different capacities. I love the officers I work with and this community.”
Opelousas Resident
At the press conference on Friday, the new chief was joined by family and friends, many from Opelousas where she resides. The Rev. Laurent De Prins, Priest-in-Charge of the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Opelousas, her church community, gave the invocation at the opening of the press conference.
When asked about the appointment of Estorge as the new Lafayette Police Chief, Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor said he is proud of her. “Congratulation to Chief Judith Estorge on her appointment as the first female to become the Lafayette Police Chief. It is historic and it shows that we can all rise to higher positions if we work hard. Her appointment speaks volumes for her character, her work ethics and the respect she has from her peers.”
Opelousas Police Chief Martin McLendon also offered his congratulations to Chief Estorge.
Plans for the Lafayette Police Department
Chief Estorge officially took office on November 1, 2022. When asked how things were going during the first week of her new job, she said “Busy. There were a lot of meetings.”
Those meetings were mostly about making plans and solving problems facing the department. Commenting about those problems, Chief Estorge said the biggest problem is the amount of gun violence in the city of Lafayette, and one of her top priorities will be communication and community engagement.
“My goal is to listen to your concerns and earn your trust,” she said.
She said that in the first 60 days, LPD officers and command staff will be more involved in community activities and events.
“I know this job will not be easy, but it is an opportunity that I am blessed to have,” Estorge said.
