St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy kicks off third year

Posted: June 8th, 2017 | Filed under: News Releases

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks with Junior Deputy Academy participants on opening day of this summer’s session. The annual program teaches children ages 10-13 about the various aspects of law enforcement.

During a discussion about traffic safety, Sgt. Eric Eilers, left, and Lt. Stephen Ingargiola, right, take a poll of Junior Deputy Academy participants who regularly wear their seat belts.

Agent Carlo Cacioppo, center, shows Junior Deputy Academy participants Mark Loustalot, left, and Jaycob Lystra, right, some of the department’s equipment, including a battering ram and body shield.

Lt. Richard Mendel shows Junior Deputy Academy participants how to operate a camera ball, designed to help law enforcement officers scope out risky environments before entering.

Lt. Stephen Ingargiola, left, and Capt. Daniel Doucet, right, talk to Junior Deputy Academy participants about inert cast booster training devices.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy participants check out the department’s bomb robot.

Lt. Stephen Ingargiola shows Junior Deputy Academy participant Preslie Garcia how heavy a bomb suit can be.

Capt. Bret Bowen, left, and Sgt. Darren Trandacosta, right, show Junior Deputy Academy participants the state-of-the-art technology inside the Sheriff’s Office Mobile Emergency Operations Center.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy kicked off the third year of its annual summer program on June 6.

Formed in 2015, the Junior Deputy Academy is open to children ages 10 to 13 who reside in St. Bernard Parish.

Patterned after the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy for adults, the program is designed to foster community pride and self esteem, while teaching youngsters about the various aspects of law enforcement.

The Academy, which runs two days a week through July 12, includes a visit to St. Bernard Parish Prison, firearms safety instruction at a local shooting range, basic first aid and CPR instruction and demonstrations with some of the department’s state-of-the-art equipment. A graduation ceremony also is held.