From the Lafayette Police Department:
“Reginald Thomas has served as Interim Chief and Deputy Chief of the Lafayette Police Department since 2016 to present. He started his career at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s office where he served for five years. He has over 30 years of dedicated law enforcement experience. Thomas served honorably in the Air Force Reserve for 10 years.
In his years of service, he has worked and supervised in every section throughout the police department. Once appointed as Interim Chief, he created a team dedicated specifically to solving homicides. Since creating the team, unsolved homicides within the department have been solved bringing the department solvability percentage to over 90% and bringing the number of homicides committed down by over 50%. As Interim Chief and Deputy Chief, Thomas spearheaded a major reorganization of the department to better utilize existing staff and has initiated plans to increase staff to be able to better serve the citizens of Lafayette.
He holds a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (247). He is a FBI LEEDA Trilogy graduate and is a certified instructor with the Peace Officer Standards and Training for Louisiana. He held the position of Training Director for the Lafayette Police Department for over five years where he attended numerous training classes. He initiated a leadership program for all supervisors through FBI LEEDA. Lafayette Police Department now has more supervisors who have been awarded Trilogy certifications then any agency it’s size. Thomas is also a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) leadership in police organizations (LPO) program. This is IACP’s flagship leadership development training program.
Thomas has completed numerous leadership courses and was an instructor for the Lafayette Police Department. Thomas has received numerous awards during his law enforcement career.
Thomas is a past president of the FBI National Academy Louisiana Chapter and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). He is also a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
Please join the Lafayette Police Department in celebrating the amazing career of Deputy Chief Reginald Thomas.”
