St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holds appreciation dinner for Reserve Division deputies

Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, second from right, addresses the crowd at the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division appreciation dinner.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Maj. David DiMaggio, right, present St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputy Don Powell with a certificate for perfect attendance at the Pre Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police training class.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Maj. David DiMaggio, right, present St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputy Larry Wilson with a second place certificate for academics.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Maj. David DiMaggio, right, present St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputy Fred Schmiderer with a certificate for first place in academics.
Rita Gue with the Meraux Foundation, left, presented Sheriff James Pohlmann with a donation for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division during a banquet held to honor the volunteer deputies.	Following an appreciation dinner and the presentation of awards, a cake was served to St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division deputies for their dedicated service.
St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputies Corey Gonzales, left, and Simon Gonzales, right, enjoy a celebration held Dec. 14 in honor of Reserve Division deputies. Also pictured is Chloe Mahaffey.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division Deputies Sal D’Antoni, left, and Michael B. Chutz, right, enjoy a dinner held in honor of all Reserve Division deputies.

A celebration was held Dec. 14 to honor members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The banquet, held at Rocky and Carlo’s Sicilian Room in Chalmette, included dinner and the presentation of various certificates of accomplishment to Reserve Division deputies – unpaid, volunteer officers who supplement the department’s police force in specific situations.

Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, said Reserve officers work during large scale events such as festivals, parades and athletic events throughout the parish, as well as performing extra patrols at local businesses during the busy holiday shopping season.

During the banquet, Reserve Deputies Don Powell and Earl Bush both received certificates for perfect attendance at the Pre Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police training class. Reserve Deputy Fred Schmiderer received a certificate for first place in academics, and Larry Wilson received second place.

Rita and Floyd Gue and Chris and Bill Haines with the Meraux Foundation also were in attendance to present the Sheriff’s Office with a donation for the Reserve Division.

Sheriff Pohlmann thanked the Reserve Division deputies during the banquet for their devoted services.

“We couldn’t do what we do so efficiently without the help of our Reserve Division deputies,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Capt. Borchers said there are currently about two dozen Reserve Division deputies, and the department always welcomes new applicants.

“You do not need a background in law enforcement,” Capt. Borchers said. “We provide all training and supply uniforms as well.”

Reserve Division deputies attend an 80-hour basic law enforcement in-service training course, twice a week for 10 weeks. Capt. Borchers said many Reserve Division deputies have gone on to become full-time, paid officers.

To apply, Capt. Borchers said a person must meet the following criteria:

-Live in St. Bernard Parish
-Be at least 21 years old
-Have earned a high school diploma or GED
-Have a clean police record; background checks will be conducted.

For more information, or to obtain an application, contact Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7799.