Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division on the upswing and applications are being accepted for membership; St. Bernard residents should call (504) 278-7628 to apply

Bowles and Reserve Division Dep. Chris Palazzalo on patrol at a recent festival in St. Bernard Parish.

Reserve Division Dep. Corey Gonzales working security at a Chalmette High football game.

Capt. Charles Borchers, who coordinates the Reserve Division as part of his duties as head of Community Relations.

Reserve Division Dep. Scott Bowles, a former St. Bernard full-time sheriff’s deputy who left for a job in private business but has returned as a volunteer reserve.

Scott Bowles worked nearly 10 years as a deputy with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office before leaving for a job with a private business in 1999.

But about two years ago he requested to return as a Reserve Division Deputy, volunteering his time without pay to supplement manpower at events like festivals, parades, high school football games and other public gatherings.

Sometimes, he also patrols at night with the department’s regular forces.

Bowles said he enjoyed police work and decided he wanted to help the Sheriff’s Office again.

“I saw a need and I had the experience (in law enforcement,)’’ he said. “I figured I wanted to do it to help keep the parish safe,’’ Bowles said.

“I have a daughter here who just got married, I have a son here and other family members. It was something I wanted to do.’’

He said he has loved being a Reserve Division member and would encourage others who have the time and inclination to look into applying for the division.
“I can tell you the people in the Reserve Division are there because they want to do it for the parish.’’

St. Bernard Parish residents can apply for the Reserve Division by calling Capt. Charles Borchers, who is head of Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office and coordinates the reserves.

Borchers can be reached at (504) 278-7628 and applicants will be directed to fill out further paper work.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Reserve Division saw its numbers nearly decimated by Hurricane Katrina.

Many of its members moved from St. Bernard Parish in the aftermath of the storm and weren’t able to continue on the force.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the group is further on the upswing under Capt. Charles Borchers. The division was up to 20 members but the sheriff said he wants to build it to 40 residents committed to helping the parish. “We could use that many,’’ the sheriff said.

He said some reserve members have gone on to be hired as full-time regular force and are currently on the department.

Capt. Borchers said St. Bernard Parish residents who have a clean police record and would like to serve their community can apply.

All Reserve Division an applicants:
– Must live in St. Bernard Parish.
– Be able to pass a background check and drug screen, which would be done on all applicants.
– Be at least 21 years old.
– Have earned a high school diploma or GED.

“Applicants don’t need a background in law enforcement’’ to be a reserve officer, Borchers said. “ We will give you the training but wanting do it to help your parish is the big thing.’’