New Additions to LSU Health Sciences Center Leadership Team
Leslie Capo, Director of Information Services
Edwin Murray, JD, Vice Chancellor for Governmental, Community and Security Affairs at LSU Health New Orleans, has appointed Ceasar Ruffin, MPA, as Director of Campus Security, and Richard Blackman, III, as Chief of University Police.
Ruffin retired from the New Orleans Police Department as a captain with 25 years of
progressive responsibility in administering police best practices. While at NOPD,
Ruffin commanded the Fourth District and oversaw operational areas such as criminal
investigations, police administration and commanding patrol operations. He has an
extensive history of expanding and improving organizational operations and comprehensive
leadership covering fiscal management, crime reduction and community development.
A military veteran who served eight years in the U.S. Army and the Louisiana National
Guard as a chemical specialist before joining LSU Health New Orleans, Ruffin was Special
Assistant to Congressman Troy Carter, serving as the Criminal Justice Liaison for
Louisiana District 02.
Ruffin earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice at Delgado Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at Upper Iowa University, and a master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Phoenix.
Blackman, a 22-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, began his law enforcement
career as a patrolman and worked his way up through the ranks while building relationships
within the community and working joint assignments with local, state, and federal
law enforcement agencies. During his tenure with NOPD, he managed investigations in
various specialized units, including the Special Operations Division and Recruitment
and Applicant Investigations. His role expanded after being appointed as the Commander
of the Special Events Unit where he planned for natural disasters, dignitary visits,
protests, and Mardi Gras. Under his command were city-wide personnel management, assignments,
and strategic deployment plans for non-commissioned and commissioned employees. Additionally,
he coordinated joint regional resources and equipment allocation used within the City
of New Orleans.
Blackman earned a Bachelor of Criminology and Justice degree from Loyola University New Orleans. He has also taken continuing education courses at Northwestern Center for Public Safety. He is a member of various professional organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.