The university has confirmed that Joey Sturm is no longer chief of police at UL.
Here’s a statement from Pat Cottonham, UL Lafayette Vice President for Student Affairs:
“Joey Sturm decided to step down as ULPD chief to focus on teaching courses in criminal justice at UL Lafayette. He is also an adjunct professor at Texas A&M who conducts safety and security training across the U.S. through a Homeland Security grant.
As ULPD chief, his primary objective was campus safety and the well-being of students, faculty and staff. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his new role.
Deputy Chief Tim Hanks will serve as interim chief while a national search is conducted.”
This morning, after receiving a tip, KATC reached out to the university police department and asked to speak with Sturm. An employee responded, “He no longer works in this office.”
We also reached out to UL police spokesperson Billy Abrams, and he said we needed to reach out to the university’s Office of Communications and Marketing.
University spokesperson Charlie Bier said the university does not comment on personnel matters. When we asked who would be appointed interim chief in Sturm’s absence, Bier again said the university does not comment on personnel matters.
KATC reached out to Sturm this morning, but his cell phone was turned off.
