Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 19, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke names Serpas as State Patrol chief

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today named Ronal W. Serpas as the chief of the Washington State Patrol.

Serpas currently serves as the assistant superintendent of police and chief of operations for the New Orleans Police Department, a position he has held since October 1996.

During his tenure as chief of operations, Serpas served as the second-in-command of the agency and was responsible for the day-to-day management of more than 1,500 officers and civilians.

“The Washington State Patrol has a rich history,” Locke said. "Chief Serpas’ diverse law enforcement career demonstrates that he has the talents and skills to lead the patrol’s team of more than 2,100 law enforcement personnel."

“Specifically, the chief’s record of helping to reduce violent crimes, cleaning up the New Orleans police department and making residents feel safer testifies to the quality of leadership he will bring to the patrol,” the governor added.

Members of the search committee, including Detective Lance Ladines, president of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, Larry Erickson of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and Jose Gaitan of The Gaitan Group echoed Locke’s feelings.

“We were extremely impressed by the reforms that Serpas implemented while at the New Orleans Police Department. The results of the reforms speak for themselves,” the three members of the committee said.

While chief of operations, Serpas implemented a series of operational reforms including:

• Implementing an accountability strategy
  
• Incorporating community policing strategy in all local districts
  
• Integrating investigative strategies of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies
  
• Serving as the department’s chief disciplinarian.

Since his promotion to chief of operations nearly five years ago New Orleans has seen its murder rate drop by 55% and its homicide clearance rates have doubled. Among cities with populations of 250,000 or more, New Orleans led the nation in reducing violent crime, which dropped 46% between 1996 and 1999.

“It is a great honor to be selected for this position,” Serpas remarked. “I look forward to working with the fine men and women of the State Patrol. One of my first actions will be to visit with cadets at the academy to learn their vision of the future of this fine agency.”

Serpas, 41, is a 21-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department. While there he served in a number of key positions, including patrol supervisor, platoon commander, budget supervisor, commander of the Scientific Investigations Division and commander of Special Operations and SWAT and budget.

Serpas received a Ph.D. in urban studies with a minor in urban crime from the University of New Orleans, an M.S. in general administration from Central Michigan University in December 1988 and a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in June 1987.

In addition to his career in law enforcement Serpas is an assistant professor at Loyola University New Orleans.

He has received several professional awards, including the Charles E. Dunbar Career Louisiana Civil Servant Award in 1998.

Serpas, who is married with three children, will earn $111,000 per year. His appointment is effective August 1.

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Related Links:
- Washington State Patrol

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