Nine St. Bernard deputies graduate P.O.S.T. academy and several receive awards for class achievements

Nine St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies graduated the Peace Officers Stanadards and Training Academy in Slidell on Nov. 21. Shown are, from left, Col. David Mowers, head of Corrections; Chief Deputy Sheriff Richard Baumy, graduates Andy Mowers, Merlin Flores, Scott Winters, Heather Lyons, Shane Samaniego, Matthew Spencer, Corey Gonzales, Shelton Smith and Jeremy Roig; Maj. David DiMaggio, head of Training; and Maj. Pete Tufaro, head of Criminal Records.

Nine St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies were graduated Nov. 21 from the Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police academy held at the Slidell Regional Training Academy and several received awards for class achievements, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Graduates from the Sheriff’s Office were deputies Andy Mowers, Scott Winters and Matthew Spencer, all of the Corrections Division; Heather Lyons and Shane Samaniego, both from the Communications Division; Jeremy Roig of the Criminal Records Division and Shelton Smith, Merlin Flores and Corey Gonzales, all of the Reserve Division.

In addition, Roig, Winters, Samaniego, Gonzales, Smith and Spencer were recognized for class achievements.

About 20 officers from several agencies were graduated in a ceremony at Slidell Auditorium.

The academy includes about 400 hours of training in basic police work including firearms use, criminal investigation, patrol procedures, writing reports, driving training, physical fitness and other areas.

Representing St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office at the ceremony included Chief Deputy Richard Baumy, Col. David Mowers, head of the Corrections Division; Maj. David DiMaggio, director of training; Maj. Pete Tufaro, head of the Criminal Records Division; and Dep. Eric Eilers of the Community Relations Department.