Community involvement such as taking the Citizens Police Academy class plays integral role in building relationship between police and the public they serve, U.S. Marshal Genny May tells graduates of CPA

 

 

The Sheriff’s Office Color Guard opens the graduation ceremony with the presentation of colors.

U.S. Marshal Genny May was the guest speaker.

Genny May, U.S. Marshal for the 13-parish eastern district of Louisiana, lauded members of the graduating class of St. Bernard’s Citizens Police Academy on Oct. 28 for taking time to learn about law enforcement and said such community involvement is crucial in building a relationship between police and the public they serve.

More than 40 residents of St. Bernard Parish graduated the free, 10-week course geared to bettering relations between the community and law enforcement. Call (504) 278-7628 to register for the next class or other free courses offered by the Sheriff’s Office.

May, appointed U.S. Marshal more than five years ago, heads the agency in charge of security at federal courts, catches violent criminals with its fugitive task force, transports prisoners as well as other responsibilities, was guest speaker for the 17th graduating class of the Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy at Nunez College.

“What you are doing (through the Citizens Police Academy class) is so important,’’ May told graduates. The relationship between you and your police department affects the larger picture of whether crime fighting can be successful, she told them.

“The more the community understands about police the better,’’ she said.

“It speaks volumes about you’’ to have participated in the Citizens Police Academy course, May said.

“You have a progressive sheriff,’’ May said of St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, who she said has long participated in the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force by assigning a deputy to the unit. And she praised the Sheriff’s Office as working well with other agencies and being experienced in its ranking officers, many of whom have graduated the FBI Training Academy in Virginia, as has May.

“I think you get your money’s worth from this department,’’ May said.

Sheriff Pohlmann told graduates that St. Bernard still has a small-town feel to it but Sheriff’s Office men and women are well trained and backed by the latest technology in areas such as communications, weapons and innovations such as a bomb robot to inspect suspicious items.

But the sheriff also said law enforcement today is under attack in many ways including alarming incidents of officers being killed by people who seem to hate them.

“It’s not an easy job,’’ the sheriff said of police work. “We are so lucky to have a good relationship with the people of this parish, one based on trust.’’

He told the group he hoped they received insight into how law enforcement works in the parish and encouraged them to get involved in a Neighborhood Watch program in their community to help keep their area safe.

Joni Schultz was chosen by the graduating class to speak for the group on the final night. She told fellow graduates that most residents when they see a police officer are probably thinking, “Please don’t write me a ticket.’’ But going through the Citizens Police Academy, she said, gives people a closer view of officers and the various divisions within the Sheriff’s Office.

Her highlight of the class “was the trip to the jail,’’ she said.

Capt. Charles Borchers, who coordinates the CPA class assisted by Dep. Sheriff Eric Eilers, said, “I hope you have seen that we are dedicated to keeping St. Bernard safe.’’

Borchers can be reached at (504) 278-7628 to discuss crime prevention tips, organize a Neighborhood Watch group or learn about upcoming free programs given by the Sheriff’s Office.

Citizens Police was started as a mechanism for the public to learn about police work in St. Bernard, interact with officers and ask questions about any concerns. More than 600 residents have participated since its inception in 1999.