Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden announced today that he will appoint Major Donald Dewayne White, a decorated 21-year veteran of the Louisiana State Police as Baton Rouge’s next Police Chief.
Major White is currently Command Inspector of the Joint Emergency Services Training Complex for State Police, overseeing the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Emergency Operations Center, training, and Capital and physical security. He manages two State Police and two Department of Public Safety Captains, 125 commissioned and non-commissioned personnel and 160 inmates at the State Police complex.
Major White previously served as Commander of the Emergency Services Unit for Transportation and Environmental Safety, with statewide management and supervisory responsibilities. During his tenure at State Police, he received a Meritorious Service Award, two Emergency Services Awards, three Professional Excellence Awards, and a Unit Citation. In 2000, he was named Trooper of the Year by the Louisiana State Troopers Association.
Prior to joining State Police, Major White served 6 ½ years with the Baton Rouge Police Department, in the Uniform Patrol, Traffic and Motorcycle Divisions.
“I am very pleased to announce that Major Dewayne White will serve as our next Police Chief with a commitment to make Baton Rouge safer for all of us,” said Mayor Holden. “This process has been conducted in a fair, objective and thorough manner which resulted in Major White emerging as the best choice to lead our Baton Rouge Police Department forward.”
“Ultimately, the decision came down to the question of who can most effectively address the challenges Baton Rouge is facing as a growing city,” Mayor Holden said. “As I looked closer at the finalists and spoke with other law enforcement professionals, it became obvious that Major White has a deep knowledge of our city gained from his early years with Baton Rouge Police, as well as the experience of managing critical operations and rising through the ranks of State Police for over 20 years.”
Holden said, “Major White has excelled at every step of his career and is widely respected among his law enforcement peers for his effectiveness in taking on challenges and delivering results. I believe his experience and character will enable him to serve our city well,” Holden said.
“I know all too well the importance of establishing the trust of the men and women of the Baton Rouge Police Department,” White said. “Without it, anyone assuming the role of Chief will find it difficult, if not impossible, to move the agency forward. As a former officer of the department, and a member of this community, I am deeply humbled and profoundly honored to have been chosen to lead such a fine organization.”
Col. Mike Edmonson, Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, applauded White’s selection and said, “I have known Major White for 25 years and I believe this is a step in the right direction by Mayor Holden for the City of Baton Rouge. My goal for State Police is to make Louisiana as safe as possible, and in doing so, to make Baton Rouge safe, too.”
Colonel Edmonson said his department works closely with the men and women of Baton Rouge Police and will continue to do so, adding, “I know they will benefit from Major White’s leadership. Not only as Superintendent of State Police, but as a resident of Baton Rouge, I’m excited and fully support Mayor Holden’s announcement.”
Col. Terry C. Landry, former Superintendent of State Police called Major White a “true and accomplished professional who has worked his way up from a road trooper to Major.”
“Major White managed a significant component of the Louisiana State Police, the Transportation and Environmental Safety Section, which has broad regulatory and criminal responsibilities. He has earned the respect of his peers and brings a distinguished amount of both specialized and advanced training to the position of Police Chief.”
Mayor Holden said he expects Major White to be sworn in as Police Chief on Tuesday to replace Interim Chief Charles Mondrick.
