Southern alum takes reign of Louisiana State Police

Lt. Colonel Stanley Griffin took over the office of State Police Superintendent July 20 after being named to replace retiring Henry Whitehorn by Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Before taking over as chief, he was the agency's deputy superintendent and chief of staff.

Whitehorn will begin his new job as chief of the Shreveport Police Department on Aug. 1.

The Louisiana State Police Web site reports that the 26-year-old veteran began his law enforcement career in 1977 when he received an associates' degree from Southern University. He became a Baton Rouge Police officer in 1978.

In addition to Southern, Griffin also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He served as a trooper in Covington's Troop L and Baton Rouge's Troop A before moving to the video gaming section of the State Police's Bureau of Investigation before being promoted in 2000 to commander of the organization's Narcotics Division.

"I would like to thank Gov. Blanco for this appointment. I am honored to receive her confidence and approval," Griffin said in a statement.

Griffin will serve as superintendent for the rest of Blanco's term as governor, which ends in January, State Police spokesman Sgt. Markus Smith said. It will be up to the discretion of the new governor whether to keep him in the position.