Citizens Police Academy’s 20th year (S.O.D.)

Citizens Police Academy’s 20th year (S.O.D.)

Capt. Bobby Norton, who oversees the Special Operations Division, center, speaks with Citizens Police Academy participants during this week’s gathering. With Capt. Norton, Lt. Daniel Bostic, left, and Lt. Brent Bourgeois, right.

Sgt. Chris Scheeler, of the Special Operations Division, shows Citizens Police Academy participants some of the equipment used by deputies. With Sgt. Scheeler, Agent Brian Canepa, center, and Dep. Skyler Rauch, right.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy participants were visited this week by members of the Special Operations Division and shown how to use a firearms simulator, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Members of the SOD, which includes the Special Weapons and Tactics team, or S.W.A.T. team, and the Bomb Squad, showed participants some of the equipment used by the division and discussed in what scenarios they would be used.

Citizens Police Academy participants use a computerized firearms training simulator designed to provide participants with various situations a real officer might face that would require them to make a split-second decision: shoot a criminal suspect or hold their fire.

Borrowed from Louisiana State Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office, the computerized firearms training simulator was used to provide participants with scenarios of various situations a real officer might face that would require them to make a split-second decision: shoot a criminal suspect or hold their fire.

Two members of the class at a time were equipped with non-firing type guns as they viewed on a large screen scenario of what officers on a call might experience, such as a motorist pulling a weapon at a traffic stop, a domestic battery scene or even hostage situations. The participants with the mock guns were then called upon to decide whether or not they would use deadly force on a suspect.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the annual 10-week program is designed to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about what the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office do on a day-to-day basis to keep their community safe.

This year’s program began Aug. 22 and will wrap up with a graduation ceremony on Oct. 24.

The course is coordinated by Capt. Charles Borchers and Sgt. Eric Eilers. For more information, call Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628.