Lafayette names new police chief

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski announced Wednesday afternoon the city's newest police chief.

Lafayette Police Department Lieutenant Patrick Flannelly was named chief.

Lt. Flannelly has been with the department for 18 years. He has served as Commander of the Street Crimes Unit, Commander of the SWAT team and Commander of the Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force.  He currently serves as the Community Outreach Officer. He said he will continue to serve his community, along with his department, once he becomes chief.

"At the end of the day, the most important important thing is the safety of our citizens and the safety of our officers," Flannelly said.

Eight people applied for his new position and officials conducted more than 28 hours of interviews.

Current Chief Don Roush announced he would be taking a job at Purdue earlier this month.

"I think it's a positive change. From my perspective, I think he's a great guy to hand the baton off to," said Roush.

Flannelly said he isn't too nervous to step up as chief because of the 132 dedicated sworn officers he will be leading.

"I'm going to do my best to make sure that every one of them goes home at the end of the day, every day, and that we get them the tools, the equipment and the training that they need to be successful," Flannelly said.

Flannelly is a West Lafayette High School graduate who spent four years in the U.S. Air Force. Later, he graduated from Purdue. He said he knew he wanted to become a police officer after constantly watching his father help in any way possible the people of the Greater Lafayette community.

Chief Roush's last work day will be on Oct. 24. Lieutenant Flannelly said he will be following him around, nit-picking his brain until then.