Chalmette native Capt. Donovan Archote is new Commander of State Police Troop B, covering St. Bernard and 5 other N.O. area parishes

When Chalmette native Donovan Archote was young, he worked out at a gym where law enforcement officers were also working out and from talking to them he believes it helped inspire him to go into police work.

But he had no idea he would eventually become commander of Louisiana State Police Troop B in Kenner, a promotion which became effective July 10 after 19 years in law enforcement.

“I am so grateful and am looking forward to leading Troop B in this new chapter in my career,’’ said Archote, 41, who has been with State Police since 1998, first as a highway trooper and later an investigator, where he rose to the rank of captain.

Archote was graduated from Chalmette High in 1989 and decided to go into law enforcement while pursuing a criminal justice degree from Loyola University in New Orleans and eventually he also earned a master’s degree in business from the University of New Orleans.

Archote was accepted by the New Orleans Police Department and began there in 1994, working primarily in the French Quarter, where he enjoyed meeting people and also came to know state troopers assigned there to help during the Mardi Gras period each year. “My experience in New Orleans was very valuable.’’

He moved to State Police in 1998 and has risen steadily since. “State Police offered different opportunities,’’ he said.

In accepting the reigns of Troop B, which is responsible for 4,200 miles of highway in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and the east bank of St. John parishes, Archote takes over from another St. Bernard Parish native, who has moved to a higher position with State Police.

Former Troop B Commander Carl Saizan, who began law enforcement in the 1980s as a deputy with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, has been promoted to the rank of major at State Police and now commands Region 1, which includes Troops A, B and L.

Archote came to Chalmette on Aug. 1 to meet with St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann and talk with the department’s senior command. He said he wants to provide whatever law enforcement help the parish needs from State Police. ”St. Bernard is in my heart,’’ Archote told the group.

He said with his background in business administration combined with law enforcement, he sees leading the Troop as akin to running a business.

“I’m focused on two things: our employees and our customers,” he said. “Our employees in making sure they are properly trained so they do the best job safely and effectively. Our customers are the citizens of our state. We want to give them our best service.”

Before his promotion to Troop B commander, Archote had served with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas task force. But now the married father of one said he’s ready to help law enforcement agencies in the troop’s six-parish coverage area fight crime.

“We want to support the local agencies, not with just highway enforcement and the reduction of fatality crashes,” he said. “We really want to help affect crimefighting.’’