Crimestoppers Executive Director Darlene Cusanza tells Citizens Police Academy graduates they have taken part in something important

The class of St. Bernard’s Citizens Police Academy for 2012.

The sheriff’s Honor Guard opened the ceremony as class members rise for the National Anthem.

Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks to the graduates and their families.

Darlene Cusanza, executive director of Crimestoppers in New Orleans, speaks to the graduates of Citizens Police Academy as Sheriff James Pohlmann and his senior staff members are seated on stage at Nunex College.

Darlene Cusanza, executive director of Crimestoppers in the New Orleans areas which offers rewards for tips to solve crimes, told the graduating class of St. Bernard’s Citizens Police Academy they have taken part in something important.

Cusanza, who has been with Crimestoppers 17 years, said taking the free Citizens Police Academy course offered each year by the Sheriff’s Office puts participants in partnership with law enforcement in trying to keep a safe community for themselves, their family and others.

And she encouraged people to cooperate in giving tips they may have about crime, saying she knows it works to solve crime because she once robbed and a tip lead to an arrest of the man involved.

“It’s incredibly important”” to participate in a course such as a Citizens. Police Academy because “it gives you a chance to build a liasion’’ with law enforcement, Cusanaza told 27 men and women taking part in the graduation ceremonies at Nunez College on Nov. 14.

Cusanza said she believes Crimestoppers, which works from donations from the public, fundraisers and court assessments in criminal cases, plays a vital role in helping law enforcement solve crimes because offering tips for information has worked.

More than 12,000 felony crimes in the New Orleans area have been solved with the aid of tips to Crimestoppers, which then gives them to law enforcement agencies, Cusanza said.

“It’s money well spent,’’ she said of the reward money. And the cash payments help, she said because, “Not everyone does things for the right reason.’’

Cusanza also discussed how when she was robbed years ago an arrest was made based on a tip. “So I know it works.’’

She also told the graduating class the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office has a proven record of success in suppressing crime.

“You’ve got a great force here. I know because I have worked with them,’’ Cusanza said as Sheriff James Pohlmann and many of his senior staff were seated on stage with her at Nunez.

Sheriff Pohlmann told graduates that St. Bernard still has a small-town feel to it, the 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.

“We may not be a big parish but we have depth of training among our deputies and depth in equipment.

“It’s great to be the sheriff here,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, “because it is a place where people will pick up the pohone and report something that doesn’t look right to them.

“It makes it a safe community when citizens get involved,’’ the sheriff said. 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 Neigbohhood Watch program in their community to help keep their area safe.

“And we appreciate you getting involved’’ by taking the Citizens Police Academy course, “It’s important to be an ambassador for us.’’

Mike Gorbaty, an assistant district attorney who took the course, also spoke at the graduation, saying, “We’re still the safest place in the New Orleans area and the reason is the professionalism on the part of everyone from the Sheriff’s Office who came before us’’ in speaking to the class.

Coordinated by Capt. Charles Borchers, who is Director of Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office including Neighborhood Watch programs, this was the 14th session of Citizens Police Academy since it began in 1999.

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 500 residents have participated since its inception.