Laura Bennett was sworn as Columbus State University’s new police chief, the first woman to serve in the role, after serving as interim chief since Sept. 2020.

Bennett was assistant chief from 2017 until stepping in as interim chief. Bennett brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the role, including 28 years as a lieutenant in the University of West Georgia Police Department.

In addition to her tenure, Bennett is the first officer from a university police department to receive the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Police Executive Law Enforcement Fellowship.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from UWG, a master’s in public safety from CSU, graduated from the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute’s administrative officer’s course, and holds an array of additional certifications in management, supervision, training, defensive tactics instruction, and health and wellness.

Congratulations!