The top job at Louisiana State Police is changing hands this fall, as Col. Robert P. Hodges, the agency's superintendent, has told staff he will retire and Gov. Jeff Landry has tapped Lt. Col. Frank Besson to take over.
Hodges said in an internal message that he will work with department leaders over the coming months to ensure an orderly transition. The move puts day to day operational control of the state's troopers in the hands of Besson, who currently serves as the department's assistant superintendent and chief of staff.
The development was first reported by Louisiana Illuminator, which reported that Gov. Jeff Landry has selected Lt. Col. Frank Besson as Hodges' successor and that Hodges notified the governor of his intent to retire this fall. WAFB later published Hodges' internal statement to employees.
Who Is Frank Besson?
According to the Louisiana State Police's official biography, Lt. Col. Frank Besson joined LSP as a patrol trooper in 1999 and has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including service with the Grand Isle Police Department and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.
The agency notes Besson holds an associate degree from Nicholls State University and a bachelor's from LSU Alexandria, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and has led units including Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, SWAT and Air Support. In other words, Landry's pick has logged time on the street, in the air and everywhere in between.
Hodges' Departure And What's Next
In the internal note, Hodges told staff, "It has been an incredible honor to serve as the 27th Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police," and said he will coordinate with DPS leadership to manage the handoff, according to WAFB.
WAFB also reported that Hodges is expected to pursue appointment as U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana, a move that would shift him into a federal law enforcement role covering the New Orleans area.
What This Means For State Policing
Hodges was appointed superintendent on Jan. 8, 2024, and has led an agency of roughly 2,700 personnel, according to the Louisiana State Police's official profile. The coming handoff will be watched closely by local leaders and lawmakers as Gov. Landry's administration presses recruiting, technology upgrades and closer partnerships with local agencies under its public safety agenda.
