Louisiana
Louisiana State Police leader says troopers should be ‘guardians,’ not ‘warriors’
In a recent conversation, Louisiana State Police Col. Lamar Davis spoke with columnist Will Sutton about his decision to become a state trooper, his challenging tenure as State Police superintendent and his policing philosophy.
Davis became superintendent in October, 2020, after he was appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards. He is scheduled to leave the job Monday.
The interview has been edited for clarity and space.
Sutton: Colonel, as you look back, way back, like Southern University, undergraduate days, did you imagine being in charge of the Louisiana State Police?
Davis: No, sir, not for a second. In fact, it wasn’t even my plan or thought, as I wasn’t going to college to work for this agency. I had a plan then to work for the federal government, maybe the FBI or U.S. Marshals. Of course, God didn’t see it that way.
Sutton: What kinds of things did you learn as a young State Police officer that you hadn’t learned, maybe during your years in active duty in the Army?
Davis: We come into people’s lives at sometimes the worst possible time. As they’re going through traumatic events and situations, they are stepping up. That taught me resilience. I thought that was vitally important. It taught me about people.
State troopers will lay down their life for you without knowing you. You can’t measure that. You can’t teach that. Someone either decides to do it or not do it. That lesson about life, that lesson about giving to others, about sacrificing for others, is something that has fueled a fire in me.
Sutton: With all of your experience, and specifically tech experience, when it comes to body-worn cameras, where do you draw the line? With the need for thorough investigations and a desire for the release of video footage that helps tell the story, how do you balance that?
Davis: While there is a desire for our citizens to get the story and get it quickly, I think it is important to get it accurately.
We have to understand that our mission is to keep our communities safe and to serve our public. When we are conducting an investigation so that we can solve crime, so that we can take information and deter or remove those that are committing crimes, then that’s the balance. I think that balance is already established.
To just push out information without having a thorough understanding, without also being able to also thoroughly investigate, that inhibits our ability to solve crimes. While it gets the story out, it doesn’t tell the true story. The camera footage being released does not tell us the entire story. It may not tell the why. It may not tell who’s all involved. We have to remember our mission and think about humanity. Would you want that done to you?
Sutton: So that takes me to one of the most significant, one of the most tumultuous times before you came on. That was after Ronald Greene died in State Police custody in May 2019 following a high-speed chase; body camera video showed troopers beating, choking, shackling Greene before he died.
At least in part, that situation ended up providing you with this opportunity. That’s a heck of a thing to walk into. It’s one thing to rise through the ranks and have the opportunity. But to take it at a time like that. Why would you do that?
Davis: I can tell you, I did not know how big this thing was. My heart goes out to Ms. (Mona) Hardin (Greene’s mother). My heart goes out to the Greene family. Those were some of the most difficult times. To look at Ms. Harden in her eyes and see the pain with the loss of her son — for me, that was a time that challenged me, in my soul, to be honest with her.
I did not have any background about what had occurred, right. I was trying to navigate something, and I did not have a foundation. So I was trying to learn as I go.
While I would love to go back and change what initially occurred and brought us to that point, I could not. But again, my hope to this day is that we can be at some point a shining a light in people’s lives.
Sutton: I lived in northern Louisiana when I moved back to my home state in 2012. I’ve actually traveled the roads that Greene took, and I know the exit from the interstate. So I’m familiar with the State Police reputation there. Do you think that things have improved with the reputation of Troop F?
Davis: I have no doubt. I know this because I’ve also gone up there. I’ve talked to citizens out there.
Our authority is derived from the people we serve. The people that work at Troop F are some of the most courageous, professional people that you’ll ever meet. I’m not saying that’s 100% of everybody, but I will tell you, the vast majority of the people that we have working in this agency will gladly and willingly give of themselves and sacrifice their lives.
We’ve made some (leadership) changes. And those changes have resulted in being compassionate, being empathetic. Those troopers have done a phenomenal job in a very difficult situation. You had a small contingent that was involved in that situation. But yet, every man and woman was judged by what others did. And they had to go out and work under that duress, each and every day.
Sutton: Early in your tenure, you promised that you would do a thorough review. Not that long ago, you announced a whole bunch of things you decided needed to be implemented. What are some of the important things you are certain will continue after your time?
Davis: So I can’t tell you if those reforms will continue because I’m not in control of the future. Nor will I be in charge of this agency. After Jan. 8, I can tell you that there are many men and women on this job that believe in that vision, and they will continue to carry out their duties. Regardless of who’s in charge, they’re going to continue to hold each other accountable, they’re going to continue to be transparent, they’re going to continue to have integrity as the foundation, and also compassion.
I think it’s important to note that a lot of these changes have been a result of my conversations with other men and women. Some have said, ‘Hey, we need to change, we need to do this.’ One specific change is that the training academy has gone from a warrior mindset to a guardian mindset. What’s significant about that is when that trooper leaves that academy, the mindset is ‘I want to serve my community,’ as opposed to ‘there are people that are against me.’
Then that results in a different set of actions and behavior, and generally determines the outcome of a situation. Instead of screaming and yelling, and having that shark attack type mentality, we’re now having a conversation. We’re providing guidance. We’re providing support.
Sutton: What’s your take on the role of State Police in more urban areas such as New Orleans, and on interstates? What’s your take on how state police have approached that in the past versus now?
Davis: In the past, we haven’t really been involved in urban policing, if you want to call it that. But in the past two administrations, we’ve gotten more involved.
I think it’s important because when we look at threats to our communities and threats to our citizens, our job is to work in areas to remove and deter people from adversely impacting our citizens and our communities. I think it’s important for us to continue to work with all of our agencies to remove that threat to our citizens and to our community.
When we look at crime, by the time the police get there are, there are so many missed opportunities. Oftentimes crime is a result of a social problem. And I think we need to really think of it in that manner, so that we can start to get in front of it, as opposed to coming in behind. We cannot police our way or wrestle our way out of these problems. We must educate people educate kids earlier and more often. I think we need to also provide more social and mental health support. As when we do that, then what we will find is we will have less people committing crimes.
Sutton: What’s your best advice and counsel for your successor?
Davis: Keep people first.
Sutton: You’re still a young man as you retire from this job, so what’s next?
Davis: In 2024, I’m gonna be at my house. I think I’ll get started with the list that my wife wants me to get started with. I’m gonna relax. I have worked 30-plus years, and I’ve been away from my family. You can’t give time back once it’s gone, but what I can do is make use of the time that I have. I will continue to give back, and I’ll continue to invest in our communities, I don’t know what that looks like, right now. I tell people all the time, public safety is my purpose, but people are my passion, and I’m going to continue to live according to my purpose and my passion.
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U.S. News & World Report has released a database comprised of the top elementary and middle schools in 2025 in each state.
The rankings of schools can even be narrowed down by city and district levels.
Top 10 elementary schools in Louisiana
There are numerous Louisiana elementary and middle schools ranked within U.S. News’ database, and here are the top ten best ranked elementary schools statewide in Louisiana.
No. 1 T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School
According to U.S. News, T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School, located in Lake Charles, is ranked number one in Louisiana elementary schools and is a part of Calcasieu Parish Public Schools.
The student population of T.S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School is 300, and the school serves K-5.
No. 2 Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies
According to U.S. News, Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies is ranked number two in Louisiana Elementary School and is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools.
Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies enrollment is 368 students, and the school is kindergarten through fifth grade.
No. 3 Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies
U.S. News says that Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies is number three in Louisiana Elementary Schools and is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools.
The student enrollment at Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies is 357 and serves the grades pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 4 Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies
Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools and is ranked number four in Louisiana Elementary Schools, according to U.S. News.
Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies’ enrollment is 418 students and teaches pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 5 South Highlands Elementary Magnet School
South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Shreveport is a part of Caddo Parish Public Schools and is ranked number five in Louisiana Elementary Schools, says U.S. News.
The student enrollment at South Highlands Elementary Magnet School is 517 and the school serves grades pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 6 Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School
Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School is part of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools and is ranked number six in Louisiana Elementary Schools, according to U.S. News.
Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School’s student enrollment is 464 and the school serves pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 7 Fairfield Magnet School
Fairfield Magnet School, located in Shreveport, is a part of Caddo Parish Public Schools and is ranked number seven on U.S. News’ list of the top Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Fairfield Magnet School has a student enrollment of 515 and teaches pre-k through fifth grade.
No. 8 Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies
Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies is located in Westwego, which is a part of Jefferson Parish Schools, and is ranked number eight in U.S. News’ list of Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies teaches pre-k through fifth grade and the enrollment is 336 students.
No. 9 Phoenix Magnet Elementary School
Phoenix Magnet Elementary School, located in Alexandria, is a part of Rapides Parish Public Schools and is ranked number nine in U.S. News’ list of the best Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Phoenix Magnet Elementary School serves pre-k through fifth grade and student enrollment is 351.
No. 10 B.R. Foreign Language Academy Immersion Magnet
B.R. Foreign Language Academy Immersion Magnet is a part of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools and is ranked number ten in U.S. News’ list of Louisiana Elementary Schools.
Immersion Magnet’s student enrollment is 548 and serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s legislative leaders say they have a tax deal; final votes expected Friday • Louisiana Illuminator
State lawmakers have agreed to a pared-down version of Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax overhaul package but one that would still affect most people and businesses in Louisiana. The deal, hashed out in back-room negotiations Thursday, is expected to receive full approval Friday.
“A lot can change overnight, but as of right now, we’re comfortable with the number of votes we have…in the Senate,” said Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie.
“I believe we have the votes [in the Louisiana House],” Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson, R-Pineville said.
The revised package calls for pushing the current sales tax rate of 4.45% to 5% for five years, starting July 1, 2025, when the state’s next fiscal year starts. It would drop to 4.75% in 2030 but still remain higher than the current 4.45% rate.
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In exchange for these higher, permanent sales taxes, most Louisiana residents would receive an income tax cut. The state would move from a three-tiered income tax system with a high rate of 4.25% to a flat rate of 3% accompanied by a significantly higher standard deduction threshold.
On the business side, the corporate franchise tax will be eliminated altogether, and the corporate income tax would move to a flat rate of 5.5% — right between the current lowest rate of 3.5% and highest rate of 7.5%.
The Legislature has also agreed to dissolve some government funds dedicated to special purposes and end some business and industry tax breaks to shore up state revenue. This includes ending the state’s many incentive programs such as the Quality Jobs and Enterprise Zone tax credits, among others..
A portion of the state inventory tax credit, which helps businesses cover their local parish tax bills, will be phased out for some employers in 2026. Money from the vehicle sales tax that was going to large transportation projects – such as the new Baton Rouge Interstate 10 bypass bridge and Interstate 49 expansions – will now be diverted for general government expenses.
In an interview Thursday night, Henry said he did not expect the current deal to leave Louisiana with a significant budget shortfall as some had feared. Still, lawmakers held off on taking votes on the tax package until Friday because they are waiting for the final revenue estimates to be finished by staff.
“Staff needs the time … . And we want time to read and digest the bills before we vote,” House Republican Caucus Chairman Mark Wright, R-Covington, said.
Landry was also throwing a political fundraiser Thursday night in Baton Rouge, and any tax votes taken before Friday would likely have coincided with the event.
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Legislative leaders are also combining the bill that cuts income taxes with the legislation to increase sales taxes in order to pin down conservative Republican votes. Once the proposals merge, lawmakers will no longer be able to vote for the tax break without the corresponding tax hike.
“It’s to lock people in. You can’t vote for the tax cuts without voting for the revenue, too,” said Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette, chairman of his chamber’s Democratic Caucus.
Republicans have supermajorities in the Senate and House, but Democrats will be needed to reach the 70 votes required to pass the sales tax hike legislation. Certain conservative Republicans have refused to vote for any bill that included a tax hike, which means bipartisan support becomes even more important to get the package across the finish line.
Much of the negotiations over the past two days has taken place between Landry and Senate Democrats, who had reservations about raising Louisiana’s sales tax rate to pay for an income tax reduction.
Louisiana already has the highest average sales tax rate in the nation when local parish rates are included. High sales taxes are more of a burden for poor people, who end up spending more of their paycheck to cover their cost.
Boudreaux said Democrats were given some concessions for agreeing to support Landry’s tax package. They were assured certain health care services wouldn’t be cut, and funding for early childhood education and juvenile vocation programs would be prioritized, he said.
The state funding formula for higher education might also be reworked to direct more support to Louisiana historically Black colleges and universities, according to Boudreaux.
The votes appear to be on tight margins, however.
Wright, as the head of the House Republican Caucus, expressed concern that the Legislature would start “losing people” who would vote for the tax bills the longer they waited to vote on Friday. Some lawmakers have made it clear they don’t intend to push their holiday travel to support the tax overhaul.
The special session must end by 6 p.m. Monday.
“It’ll be interesting because I heard they may have more Republicans missing as the day goes on, especially around five o’clock,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard of New Orleans, who has opposed Landry’s proposal.
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Sixteen candidates have applied to become Nexus Louisiana’s new permanent leader.
Anita Tillman, co-chair of the selection committee overseeing the Nexus CEO search, provided an update at Thursday’s board of directors meeting.
Tillman says executive search firm Isaacson Miller presented 10 candidates to the committee on Oct. 31, and a second round of candidate presentations will be held on Dec. 5.
Semifinalist interviews will be conducted virtually on Jan. 14. The presentations serve as a way to discuss what the organization is looking for and give feedback to Isaacson, Miller about the type of candidates the firm should recruit.
Some prospective candidates have expressed interest but have yet to apply, according to Tillman.
“Once those interviews happen, and we drill it down to whatever the outcome is, then those candidates will be moved over to the full board to do rounds of in-person interviews and make their decision,” Tillman says.
The in-person interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of Feb. 10 and the search is expected to be completed before the end of February.
Nexus Louisiana began accepting applications for the position on Nov. 1. Part of the job description says that the new president and CEO will be critical in providing internal and external leadership. The individual will assess and align the organization’s structures while advocating for Nexus Louisiana as a critical driver of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Baton Rouge region across the state and globally.
Nexus has been without a permanent leader for two years following longtime CEO Genevieve Silverman’s departure in June 2022 after 14 years. Nexus management consultant Calvin Mills has handled leadership responsibilities since 2022.
View a description of the position.
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