St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy’s 20th year (F.O.B.)

Participants in the 20th session of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy were visited by members of the Field Operations Bureau Traffic Division and Criminal Investigations Bureau on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the annual 10-week program is designed to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about what the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office do on a day-to-day basis to keep their community safe.

Lt. Brent Bourgeois, of the Field Operations Bureau Traffic Division, spoke this week to participants about traffic-related issues, including the importance of wearing seatbelts, carrying automobile insurance, and obeying speed limits. He also talked about how the department holds sobriety and seat belt checkpoints several times a year to promote safety on the roads.

Members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Lt. Al Clavin, Sgt. Ryan Melerine and Detective Danny Carreras spoke about how criminal investigations are handled. They also stressed the importance of residents keeping their vehicles locked at all times and items of value out of plain sight in an effort to reduce their chances of being the victim of theft.

This year’s program began Aug. 22 and will wrap up with a graduation ceremony on Oct. 24. The course is coordinated by Capt. Charles Borchers and Sgt. Eric Eilers. For more information, call Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628.

Lt. Brent Bourgeois, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Bureau Traffic Division, left, speaks with a Citizens Police Academy participant during this week’s gathering.

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau, from left: Sgt. Ryan Melerine, Lt. Al Clavin and Detective Danny Carreras, spoke at this week’s Citizens Police Academy class about how criminal investigations are handled and the importance of residents keeping their vehicles locked at all times.