Lafayette police chief takes job at Purdue

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Next month, Lafayette Police Chief Don Roush will turn in his badge and start a new chapter in higher education.

In a News 18 interview with Chief Roush, he reminisced about all the good and bad times in his 28 years of being in law enforcement.

Chief Roush started his career out at the Los Angeles sheriff's office after spending some time in the military.

From there, he came to Lafayette and worked as a patrol officer, investigator and later landed the chief of police position eight years ago.

He said throughout the eight years it's been a bumpy ride, but said he's been able to see a lot of great changes within the department.

Chief Roush said while the military and law enforcement has always been in his blood, it's time to make a change and start a new journey.

Chief Roush has accepted a position as the Associate Director of the Weekend M.B.A Program with Purdue's Krannert School of Management.

While he said he'll miss the community and other people in law enforcement he's worked with throughout the years, he's ready to take on this new challenge at Purdue.

"For me it's a natural transition for leaving a profession. I left the military after 20-plus years there. And I actually think that change is good for organizations," Lafayette Police Chief, Don Roush said.

In the next few weeks, Chief Roush said he has about 10 projects he needs to finish before starting this new journey.

He said Mayor Tony Roswarski will start taking applications to fill Roush's position.

Chief Roush will then have the opportunity to sit with the new chief that gets hired and help make the transition as smooth as possible.

He will start his new position at Purdue on Nov. 1..