TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER

Maj. Lawrence Rabalais of LSU Police will replace Gary Durham as interim chief of LSU Police. Durham  will retire from the University on December 31.

Chancellor Michael Martin announced Rabalais assumed the position as interim chief of police on August 17 even though Durham is not set to retire till the end of the year. For now, the two are overlapping each other in the job so Rabalais can become familiar with the job.

Rabalais has worked for LSU for three years.

“It is an honor and a privilege,” Rabalais said. “It is a dream come true to be chosen to run such a department.”

Rabalais said he is “very excited” to be named for the position and thinks he was chosen because of his familiarity with the school.

“The best candidate for the position would be someone who understand the campus and can better ensure public safety for the University,” Rabalais said.

Durham began work at the University in 1977 and served as chief of police for ten years. In 1987 he was promoted to executive director of public safety and risk management.