City of Lafayette names Paul Trouard as interim chief for its police department

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — A southwest Louisiana city has a new leader of its police department following the resignation of its former chief.

Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet announced Tuesday that Capt. Paul Trouard will serve as the interim chief of the Lafayette Police Department during a national search to fill the permanent position, The Advocate reported.

Trouard, 50, has spent his entire 27-year law enforcement career at the Lafayette agency, where he was recently named assistant chief by former police chief Judith Estorge, who earlier this month resigned the position, citing personal reasons. Appointed in October 2022, Estorge was the city’s first female police chief. She will remain with the department.

“It’s an honor,” Trouard said of the appointment. “It’s been a long road. I just hope to move the department forward.”