Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges announced Friday he will retire this fall after 31 years with the agency, with Lt. Col. Frank Besson tapped to take his place.
Hodges shared the news of his pending departure in a message sent directly to agency employees. Governor Jeff Landry had selected Hodges to lead the State Police when he took office in January 2024. Prior to serving as superintendent, Hodges oversaw the agency’s Region 2 Patrol operations, which span 18 parishes across Louisiana.
Beyond his state career, Hodges is pursuing an appointment as U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana. A graduate of Brother Martin High School and Louisiana State University, he spent his entire career with the State Police before rising to the agency’s top post.
Besson Brings Decades of Experience
Besson, a Grand Isle native, currently serves as deputy superintendent and chief of staff — making him a natural choice to assume leadership of the department. His law enforcement career spans more than 30 years and includes work with the Grand Isle Police Department, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and State Police Troop C.
Besson earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Nicholls State University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from LSU-Alexandria before rising through the ranks of the State Police to his current role.
What’s Next
The transition is expected to take place this fall. No specific date for Hodges’ final day or Besson’s formal swearing-in has been publicly announced. Governor Landry’s office has not released additional details regarding the timing of the leadership handover or the U.S. marshal appointment process.
The State Police oversees statewide law enforcement, highway patrol operations, and emergency response coordination across Louisiana’s 64 parishes. Leadership continuity within the agency is closely watched, particularly as the state manages ongoing public safety challenges and criminal justice reforms. Earlier this year, Louisiana enacted a law granting sentence reductions to inmates who earn associate’s degrees — a shift in corrections policy that intersects with law enforcement priorities statewide.