State Police Superintendent Discusses Crime Reduction, Community Engagement at Baton Rouge Rotary Club
BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club on Wednesday, focusing on crime reduction and efforts to strengthen community relations through law enforcement outreach.
Hodges highlighted the importance of the agency’s core values—courage, loyalty, and service—in addressing crime while fostering trust between law enforcement and the public. He emphasized that educational initiatives such as crime prevention, traffic safety, drug awareness, and emergency preparedness play a critical role in empowering residents to contribute to a safer community.
"Offering these programs allows us to inform and empower residents to actively participate in keeping our community safe," Hodges said.
He pointed to the success of Troop NOLA, a specialized unit created to target crime in New Orleans, as a model for future efforts in the Baton Rouge area.
"We’ve seen a significant drop in crime, about 40%, and that’s due to the collaboration between law enforcement and the community," Hodges noted. "Weekly arrests and focused operations are making a tangible difference."
Hodges also addressed a recent investigation into the Department of Corrections at the request of Gov. Jeff Landry, stemming from reports on conditions at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. However, he declined to provide specific updates on the ongoing investigation.
In discussing the broader relationship between law enforcement and the public, Hodges expressed optimism about renewed trust.
"People are coming back to law enforcement. The defund the police movement is behind us—it didn’t work. Public safety is the foundation of everything, and we’ve made strides through outreach and reform to regain the public’s confidence," he said.
Hodges’ remarks come at a time when the state police are expanding their focus on both crime reduction and community engagement as part of a larger statewide initiative.
