Sheriff James Pohlmann

Sheriff James Pohlmann is a native of St. Bernard Parish and has been with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office since 1983.

He was elected sheriff in November 2011 after serving as Chief Deputy to then-Sheriff Jack A. Stephens since 2008, overseeing all law enforcement operations. He was re-elected unopposed in 2015. He was re-elected without opposition to another four-year term in 2015.

Sheriff Pohlmann has served in virtually all areas of the department, including Communications, Corrections, Patrol, Traffic, Criminal Investigations and SWAT.

The sheriff has also held various commands throughout his career, including SWAT Commanding Officer and Chief of Field Operations.

He has received numerous hours of law enforcement training and is a graduate of the 181st session of the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Training Academy.

The sheriff has also received several commendations throughout his career, from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office as well as outside law enforcement agencies and civic organizations.

In 2010, he was selected by the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year and in 2009 was selected by Crimestoppers as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Sheriff Pohlmann has also represented the department on numerous boards and committees including the board of the St. Bernard Parish 911 Communications District as well as the St. Bernard Housing Redevelopment and Quality of Life Commission.

He was also served on the Louisiana Crime Victims Reparations Board, which awards payments to help victims of violent crimes.

The sheriff is an active member of many professional and civic organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard Parish.

Sheriff Pohlmann resides in Meraux with his wife, Monique, and their children.