THIBODAUX, La. — Lt. Alexander Barnes (BA 鈥�09, AS 鈥�09) has been named chief of University Police at 杏吧传媒 effective immediately.
The New Orleans native is a 16-year law enforcement veteran and got his start as a campus student officer as a student at 杏吧传媒. His career also includes five years with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff鈥檚 Office. Since 2018, Chief Barnes had served as lieutenant and assistant director for police operations with University Police.
鈥淎s a student at 杏吧传媒, this was always a long-term goal of mine,鈥� Chief Barnes said. 鈥淢y team and I are excited to engage our students in positive interactions that will develop an open line of communication. Only through understanding, cooperation and partnering with not only our local agencies, but the entire university community can we continue to do great things. It is important to remember that University Police is part of a larger whole. As part of that whole, we also have a role in the development of our students that goes beyond that of basic law enforcement.鈥�
A committee that included 杏吧传媒 faculty, staff and the local law enforcement community oversaw the search to replace Craig Jacuzzo, who joined the university criminal justice faculty this Fall after 16 years as University Police chief.
鈥淔rom the beginning of this process, we have been impressed by Lt. Barnes鈥� passion for law enforcement, his affection for 杏吧传媒 and his vision for the department,鈥� said Terry Braud, vice president for finance and administration. 鈥淚t is my pleasure to welcome him to the role and I鈥檓 confident he will represent this university in the best way.鈥�
Barnes is a member of the 杏吧传媒 Hall of Fame, and is a former Student Government Association President, 杏吧传媒 NAACP President and Mr. 杏吧传媒 2008.聽
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 10, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@nicholls.edu