According to Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory, Captain Judith Estorge, a native of Lafayette and a University of Louisiana alumni will take over as the new Chief of the Lafayette Police Department effective November 1, 2022. Estorge, a resident of Opelousas, is believed to be the first female Chief of Police in Lafayette’s history.
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory said he is confident that Estorge will bring all the qualities necessary to lead the LPD as the next chief, noting her years of experience and “the respect she has earned from those on the force.”
Born and raised in Lafayette, Estorge attended the University of Louisiana where she studied Criminal Justice.
The press release states Estorge has worked her way up the ranks since joining the department in 1993. She served as a patrol officer, a traffic motor officer, a detective in Criminal Investigative Division, a Precinct 3 sergeant, and watch commander. Currently, the release states, she is the commander of Precinct 4 where she is responsible for overseeing a staff of 25 patrol officers, four sergeants, one lieutenant and one administrative assistance.
“One of my goals is to build community relationships and do my very best to work together to solve our common concerns,” Estorge said. “When police and the community work together, we build trust. We rely on our citizens to provide information about crime in their neighborhoods, and we want them to trust us. Together, we can make a difference”
The process to select Lafayette’s new Police Chief began in January of this year. Nine people applied for the position, and five were found to meet the required qualifications and were allowed to take the state test; four of them passed. One removed his name from consideration which left Captain Estorge, a retired State Trooper and a Lafayette Police sergeant in the running.
Also in January, LCG announced there would be a national search to fill the position, In June the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board extended the application period for another 30 days at the request of the Guillory administration so that a search firm could be hired. Although search firms were consulted, none was hired to do a search. In the end, nine people applied for the position and only one was not from Louisiana.
According to the press release from LCG, an introductory event for the new chief will be scheduled at the beginning of November.
