ULM decided to indefinitely suspend their search for a new chief of police this summer due to budgetary concerns.

According to The News-Star, Laura former Media Relations Director Woodard said the reductions in the school’s budget required the position of chief of police to be terminated. Woodard also said “when the financial climate improves, we will reconsider staffing.”

According to Woodard, Lt. Steve Mahon will be in charge of supervising the police department. She believes that the safety of the school has not been compromised and Lt. Mahon has started practices to further ensure the safety of campus.

But some students are feeling uncomfortable about the lack of a chief of police but feel secure as long as someone is in charge of the police.

“It’s unfortunate that someone had to lose their job due to budget cuts and their position,” said Danielle Coutee, a junior pre-pharmacy major. “But if that’s what’s necessary to keep the university where it is and make things work then that’s what they need to do as long as they have someone qualified for the job to oversee the police and the university.”

Other students wondered if the budget could have been managed differently to avoid the position being eliminated.

“I feel like if the chief of police had a big duty, like a big job on campus, then I would feel that it is wrong to fire them just so they can fix dorms and get new computers,” Stephanie Luu, a junior dental hygiene student, said.

Luu believes that there could have been an better, alterative way to get money for campus upgrades such as fundraising.

“But if the chief of police did not have a big part than I would feel that it’s okay, you know, because the school needs money to help students for their education,” Luu said.

To balance the employees the police department lost earlier this year, The News-Star said that a lieutenant was asked to return to the rank of a sergeant and two sergeants were promoted to lieutenant.

While some students expressed concern about budget cuts affecting who runs the police department, others were more dismissive of the position being eliminated as long as there is still someone supervising the department.

“I don’t care as long as someone is in charge,” Adam Nettles, a freshmen history student, said.