The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Police Department has a new police chief, yet his name and his face are familiar to Acadiana. Joey Sturm, who led the department from 1997 to 2002, has been selected to return to the position, pending approval from the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System. He is expected to begin work July 16.
“ Returning to campus is almost like returning home to a family,” said Sturm. “I look forward to working with the department and improving it every way I can.” The department includes 25 full-time and 10 student officers.
Dean of Students Edward Pratt said Sturm “is a seasoned professional with the knowledge, experience and leadership abilities this important position requires.” Sturm holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in administration and management from UL Lafayette. He also is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy Program.
Prior to his appointment, Sturm served as law enforcement training director for the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office.
A New Iberia native, Sturm began his career in 1988 as a student officer within the campus department. After several promotions, he was named assistant chief in 1993, before rising to the department’s highest rank.
From 2000-2002, Sturm also served as director of the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Since then, he has worked to implement federally-mandated security procedures at a number of airports across the country, including BWI-Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Nashville. He also served as director of training for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, where as program manager, he facilitated training contracts with the U.S. Department of Justice. He also has worked in the private sector as a pharmaceutical sales representative.