Nunez Chancellor Thomas Warner praises sheriff’s Reserve Division for job done at school graduation and spreads message parish residents should consider volunteering their time to the rebuilding group For information: call Capt. Charles Borchers who is acc For information: call Capt. Charles Borchers who is accepting application for reserve officers at 278-7628

Nunez Community College Chancellor Thomas Warner has praised the sheriff’s Reserve Division of volunteer officers for the good job they did at the school’s recent graduation ceremonies and recommended parish residents should consider being part of the rebuilding group.

Warner sent a letter to Sheriff James Pohlmann thanking the department for the “professional and courteous assistance’’ of Reserve Division officers Albert Loar, Tony Jeansonne and Scott Bowles at the Chalmette college’s 20th commencement ceremonies.

“The large attendance could very easily have become unmanageable but your staff maintained order in a friendly and positive way,’’ Warner said in the letter.

Warner later said in a meeting the Reserve Division “did a great job along with our campus police officers and are definitely an asset’’ to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Reserve Division is made up of volunteers who supplement the Sheriff’s Office’s regular force on specific assignments such as athletic events, parades and festivals. It is a non-paying position.

The Reserves group is rebuilding after losing most of its members following Hurricane Katrina when many residents relocated from the parish.

Sheriff Pohlmann has appointed Capt. Charles Borchers interim head of the Sheriff’s Reserve Division.

Borchers is accepting applications for volunteer officers and can be called at (504) 278-7628.

He replaces Col. Gerald “Jerry’’ Rathburn, who died in April, and had been the long-time head of the Reserve Division.

Those applying to be a Reserve Division officer must live in St. Bernard Parish and have a clean police record, said Borchers, who is also director of Community Relations – formerly known as Crime prevention – which includes the Neighborhood Watch program.

Applicants will have a background check and a drug screen done before they can be accepted.

Also, they must be at least 21 years old and have earned a high school diploma or GED.

“Applicants don’t need a background in law enforcement’’ to be a reserve officer, Borchers said. “We will give you the training but wanting do it to help your parish is the big thing.’’

For more information, call Borchers at (504) 278-7628. Those who want to follow up with an application will be directed to fill out the required paperwork, he said.