Sheriff’s Reserve Division on the upswing but applications are being accepted for more members as the department tries to build back to 40 volunteers

Many of the current members of the St. Bernard Reserve Division are shown at a recent department appreciation dinner with Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and other rank from the regular force. Included, from left, are the sheriff, Reserve Division Capt. Joe Ricca and Sgt. Mitch Perkins, regular force Capt. Bret Bowen, reserve Deputies Scott Bowles, David Hamburger, Chris Palazzalo, Albert Loar, Lt. Tony Jeansonne, Lathaniel Jackson, Corey Gonzales, Keith St. Germain, regular force Maj. Mark Poche, reserve Dep. Casey Brown, and regular force Chief Deputy Richard Baumy and Capt. Charles Borchers. At the dinner, reserve deputies received gift certificates donated by Cenurion Law Enforcement Supply of Chalmette and Vinson Law enforcement Supply of St. Tammany Parish.

Reserve Division deputies and guests are shown at a table during the appreciation dinner.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Reserve Division, the unpaid volunteer group which supplements department manpower for special occasions such as athletic events, parades, festivals and other public gatherings, 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.

Reserve Division membership was growing under long-time head Col. Jerry Rathburn, who died in 2012.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the group is further on the upswing under Capt. Charles Borchers, who took the helm last summer.

The Reserve Division is up to 20 members, with the approval of several new members recently, the sheriff said.

At a recent appreciation dinner for the group during the holidays, Sheriff Pohlmann thanked them for their time and the effort they put forth for the parish and said he wants to go further with the Reserves.

“I would like to get the Reserve Division up to about 40 members,’’ the sheriff said. “We could use that many.’’

“Some members of the Reserve Division have gone on to become regular sheriff’s deputies and are still with us,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Capt. Borchers said he is accepting applications for the Reserve Division from St. Bernard Parish residents who have a clean police record and would like to serve their community.

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

To apply for the Reserve Division an applicant:
– 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.’’