Crimestoppers GNO partners with the FBI and Sheriff Pohlmann to host its first area-wide pool tournament, held in Chalmette, to bring law enforcement officers together

Jeremy Roig, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office in the first round.	The scene as the tournament gets underway.
Other area sheriffs took part in the tournament also. Shown with Sheriff Pohlmann are Plaquemines Sheriff Lonnie Greco and St. Charles Sheriff Greg Champagne, and next to them Darlene Cusanza of Crimestoppers and Michael Anderson of the FBI.	Shown at the law enforcement pool tournament at Lacy’s Cue are, from left, owner Frank Haines and the hosts of the tournament, Michael, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans office; Darlene Cusanza, President and CEO of Crimestoppers; and Sheriff James Pohlmann.
Det. Sgt. Donald Johnson lines up a shot.	Det. Michael Schiro takes a shot.
Former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten is shown with Sheriff Pohlmann.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Maj. Robert McNab lines up a shot in the first round.

Without question, Lacy’s Cue in Chalmette had to be the safest place in the New Orleans area the night of May 8 as nearly 90 federal agents, sheriffs, police chiefs and other cops gathered for a law enforcement pool tournament to build relationships between area-wide agencies.

Police from more than 20 agencies participated with numerous other officers attending the event besides those playing.

“It was a great turnout and a wonderful event,’’ said Darlene Cusanza, President and CEO of the nonprofit group Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans. She added it was a fun way for law enforcement to network with each other and Crimestoppers. “Agencies had a chance to meet each other. This is something we want to do again.’’

Michael Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI office in New Orleans since 2012, was one of the driving forces in suggesting an area-wife law enforcement pool tournament as a means for cops to get together socially.

Anderson, who played in the tournament and said he has played since 12 when he began with his father and brother, said the evening was exactly what he had in mind as a way for officers to meet and talk.

“I’m getting a good vibe between the people here,’’ Anderson said as he looked about the pool tables crowded with officers. “In this type of event there is a lot of time for people to mingle,’’ which he said promotes people from agencies being able to work together.

That was why Anderson said he suggested a blind draw of partners in doubles play, rather than singles or a team from each agency, to maximize player participation, the mixing of department personnel and emphasizing fun over cut-throat competition.

A team of one person from the FBI and one from the Orleans Criminal Sheriff’s Office won the tournament.

Sheriff James Pohlmann, whose St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office had seven employees participate in the tournament, said he enjoyed meeting officers from federal, state and local agencies and having time to talk with fellow sheriffs and police chiefs.

“Criminals don’t worry about boundary lines separating parishes,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “A bad guy from one parish can commit a crime in another. So it’s important law enforcement can work together on matters that cross jurisdictional lines. When law enforcement officers from various agencies have a chance to meet in a casual atmosphere it fosters better cooperation.’’

Sheriff Pohlmann added. “It is always easier to deal with people you have met and spoken with before.’’

Plus, he said, the tournament was a good way to feature Crimestoppers “because that group has been so important in helping law enforcement through its program of offering cash rewards for tips on criminal suspects, which has led to so many arrests over the years.’’

Other area law enforcement leaders participating included Sheriffs Marlin Gusman of Orleans Parish, Greg Champagne from St. Charles, and Lonnie Greco of Plaquemines, newly elected Kenner PD Chief Michael Glaser, Slidell Chief Randy Smith and Assistant Special Agents in Charge from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Warren Rivera and Joseph Shepherd.

Former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten was also there.

Other agencies participating included Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Harahan Police Department, the Internal Revenue Service, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Louisiana State Police, New Orleans Police, St. John Sheriff, St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s office, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. H.S.I., U.S.D.H., U.S. Marshals and U.S. Secret Service.