Sheriff Pohlmann tells 16th graduation class of Citizens Police Academy St.. Bernard remains safe because of residents like them who get involved; He dedicated class to retiring District Attorney

Members of the Sheriff’s Office senior staff and Nunez College Chancellor Thomas Warner stand on the stage at Nunez for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.

The class stands for the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, which opened the graduation ceremony.

Sheriff James Pohlmann told the 16th graduation class of the Citizens Police Academy that St. Bernard remains safe because of residents like them who are willing to give their time to get involved and learn about how law enforcement works in the parish.

The sheriff also said he is dedicating this year’s class to long-time St. Bernard District Attorney and former Sheriff John F. “Jack’’ Rowley, who is retiring at the end of the year and didn’t seek re-election. Rowley was sheriff from 1962-79 and has been District Attorney since 1979.

Jack Rowley kept St. Bernard safe, Sheriff Pohlmann said. “I don’t want his legacy to be lost. His legacy lives on in the Sheriff’s Office.’’ He told the 30 men and women graduates that Citizens Police Academy isn’t aimed at turning residents into police officers but rather to give insights into how law enforcement works in their parish and allow participants a chance to see and hear about things from the inside, with the opportunity to ask questions.

“Everything we put in place is to keep St. Bernard safe,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. But he added that without the cooperation of residents like themselves, “We would be wasting our time’’ because the Sheriff’s Office can only be successful when residents take the time to call about suspicious things they may see or cooperate as witnesses.

Capt. Charles Borchers, who coordinates the free 10-week Citizens Police Academy and is assisted by Dep. Eric Eilers, said he believes the program “puts a face to a badge’’ for residents.

“You see who we are and why we do our job and are dedicated to keeping St. Bernard safe,’’ Borchers said.

Citizens Police Academy started in St. Bernard in 1999 and more than 600 parish residents have gone through the program.

It was re-instituted in 2009 after several years of not being held following Hurricane Katrina.