LSUPD named police spokesman Ricky Adams chief of police this week after 23 years of service with the department. Adams is replacing William “Randy” Watts, who retired in May 2004.
Adams will begin serving as chief of police immediately and said he vows to keep the standards previously established for the LSUPD.
Gary Durham, director of the Office of Public Safety and Risk Management, has served as the interim chief since Watts retired. Durham said the police department will continue to work well with students under Adams’ leadership.
“He has been with the department for 23 years and is a leader who has demonstrated the dedication, technical competencies and management ability necessary to run the Police Department,” Durham said.
Adams said the University will not see many changes within the department.
“We have a relationship with the faculty, staff and students and will continue the community policing role so the officers are more than just a badge and name tag,” Adams said. “The community knows them by name and works with them in our crime fighting efforts.”
Adams credited the success of the department to the officers in the department as well as Durham.
Durham said Adams was a candidate when Watts retired but the committee decided they wanted to look at Adams longer. Durham also said the committee wanted Adams to be closer to finishing his undergraduate degree.
Adams is working on a degree in criminal justice and police administration, and Durham said he is close to completion.
According to a University Relations news release, Adams graduated from the Louisiana State Police Basic Training Academy in 1982 and began working as an entry-level patrol officer.
Adams also attended the FBI National Academy and the Secret Service Dignitary Protection Program and has volunteered for 10 years with the LSU football program. He is the only law enforcement representative on the NCAA National Task Force on Sports Gambling.
Contact Ginger Gibson at [email protected]