Police director named at LSUE

Changes are coming to LSUE this year and the first has arrived with the naming of the campus’ new director of police, Captain Cory Lalonde.
“As we have seen, unfortunately, in the days and times we live in, we have no campus, no area of society, unfortunately, (that) is immune from the potential of an active shooter or active violence situation,” Lalonde said. “These things are very hard to predict; when or where they are going to happen.”
“From a law enforcement standpoint, on the Baton Rouge campus, the way we prepare is for when, not if. We prepare for the worst and hope for the best. That’s what we want to bring to LSUE.”
LSUE was previously the only LSU campus in the state without a dedicated, commissioned law enforcement presence. Lalonde joined the campus staff in a full-time, permanent position Jan. 3 following a safety and security assessment last fall that was completed by the LSU Police Department at LSUE Chancellor Kimberly Russell’s request. Several recommendations were made following the assessment, including the hiring of a full-time uniformed officer to lead the department. The officer began working on the campus in a full-time, temporary position following the assessment.
“There have not been any potential threats or incidents on the campus, but at the same time, we want to be prepared,” Lalonde said. “The best way to be prepared is by number one — preparing your staff and security staff and officers.”
During the assessment, Lalonde and others involved in the project interviewed faculty and staff on campus and made recommendations and proposals on how to go forward. At LSUE, he will oversee campus security and implement many of the recommendations from the assessment, including the addition of both indoor and outdoor security cameras on campus. Lalonde will continue to work on relationships between the university and local law enforcement and emergency medical response agencies and will upgrade current security training and equipment. Lalonde said another commissioned officer will be added to the ranks in the next three to six months, and that in the next year and a half, potentially two to four more commissioned officers may be hired. Prior to the assessment, LSUE had four security officers, and these staff members will stay remain at the campus, but the chancellor said their job duties may change.
Lalonde added, “We will provide law enforcement, not just for potential situation, but day-to-day law enforcement. We want to keep the community safe in a variety of ways.”
Lalonde is a graduate of Teurling Catholic High School and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The officer has 21 years of law enforcement experience and has been with the LSU police on the Baton Rouge campus since 2001. While there, he served as captain, the department’s public information officer, internal affairs investigator and community outreach coordinator. Prior to working at LSU, Lalonde he served with the UL Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Police Department.  The officer also served 14 years with the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 239th Military Police Company.
“I jumped on this opportunity,” he said. “I grew up in Breaux Bridge, and I lived in Baton Rouge for 15 years. As soon as I started interacting with people on campus (at LSUE), I felt like I was home.”
Russell said, “We are so pleased to welcome Capt. Lalonde to LSUE. The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff are of utmost importance to our campus, and we are grateful for the tremendous support received from LSU President King Alexander.”
LSU Police Chief Lawrence Rabalais, who participated in the fall assessment, said, “In recent years, we have seen various incidents of active violence occurring throughout the country, specifically college campuses. Our campus communities need to have a consistent uniformed law enforcement presence and a continued commitment to keep these communities as safe as possible, through mitigation and preparation. This is a big first step of that process at LSUE and LSU Police Department is committed to working with and assisting LSUE as well as the other LSU campuses throughout the state.”