Tom Torregrossa joined the university as the new Director of Police in the wake of former Officer in Charge Steven Mahon’s recent departure.

The announcement came as the police department shifts from the Executive Vice President’s Office to the Office of Student Affairs.

Torregrossa said he looks forward to interacting with students, faculty, staff and visitors.

“Our goal here at the university police is going to be to reach out to the students. We’re going to become part of the student body, so to speak,” Torregrossa said.

Torregrossa officially began Monday. The Office of Student Affairs said they are excited to have him on board.

“He’s got a lot of experience,” said Camile Currier, Vice President for Student Affairs. “He understands the university community and that we want to get back into community policing and that we’re trying to show that we’re here to help the students.”

Currier said he hopes UPD is more “visibly accessible to the students, faculty and staff,” now that they have been moved to Student Affairs.

He said Torregrossa is also a ULM graduate whose son and daughter currently attend the school.

Pick up next week’s issue of The Hawkeye for the full story on Torregrossa and his vision for campus safety.