Morris selected as new SUPD chief

Southern University has a new Chief of Police.
Mike Morris, a Baton Rouge native, has been hired, and is now on duty as the head of the Southern University Police Department following the resignation of former police chief Dale Flowers.
“My concern and focus is SU, not the media,” said Morris.
Morris has been active in law enforcement for 38 years, with experience from the Baton Rouge City Police Department and Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Upon retiring from the BRCPD, Morris said he worked on the prevention of drugs from entering the United States through states like Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Morris said he’ll be keeping his eyes open, ears listening and feet always on the move to ensure Southern students, faculty and staff will be safe on campus.
“For far too long, SUPD has been treated as a second class citizen, but we are a first class service,” Morris said.
“And in order for SUPD to hold that title, I will make sure the police department will be accountable for their actions,” he said. “And that’s a promise to the university.”
Not only does Morris plan to address the safety implements for the university, he is also concerned for the well being of incoming students.
“My intentions are not to stereotype every student here as that ‘bad kid,'” he said. “I want SU students to be treated as I would treat my own children, not to be penalized or locked up if they are doing the right thing.”
Morris also said students need to learn the campus environment and know their surroundings.
“(The) Southern University Police Department and my office is always open,” Morris said.
Southern students said they are confident the new police chief will step up to the plate and take the initiative of what is best for the university.
“If the university believes (we) the campus needed a new chief of police then the individual selected for position should pick up where the former interim chief police left off,” said Whitney Robinson, a sophomore mass communications major from Baker.
Morris said his main goal is to cooperate students, faculty and staff into a unanimity body to help enforce the law.
“By the university coming together to enforce the laws (it) will keep the negativity and violence away from our campus,” said Morris.