St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holds appreciation dinner for Reserve Division depu

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holds appreciation dinner for Reserve Division deputies

A holiday celebration was held Dec. 5 to honor members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The dinner, held at The Palms in Arabi, takes place each year to honor the dedication of Reserve Division deputies – unpaid, volunteer officers who supplement the department’s police force in specific situations.

Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, said Reserve officers work during large scale events such as festivals, parades and athletic events throughout the parish, as well as performing extra patrols at local businesses during the busy holiday shopping season.

Reserve Dep. Sgt. Sal D’Antoni was recognized at the celebration for having the most hours on duty as a reserve deputy for 2019.

Capt. Borchers, who also serves as head of community relations and longtime Crime-Prevention and Neighborhood Watch director for the Sheriff’s Office, also was honored at the event with a plaque of appreciation for more than four decades of dedicated service.

Capt. Borchers will retire at the end of the year after 45 years in law enforcement, with 31 served at the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.

Rita and Floyd Gue and Chris Haines and Bill Haines with the Meraux Foundation also were in attendance to present the Sheriff’s Office with a donation for the Reserve Division.

Sheriff Pohlmann thanked the Reserve Division deputies during the banquet for their devoted services.

“We couldn’t do what we do so efficiently without the help of our Reserve Division deputies,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Capt. Borchers said there are currently about two dozen Reserve Division deputies, and the department always welcomes new applicants.

“You do not need a background in law enforcement,” Capt. Borchers said. “We provide all training and supply uniforms as well.”

Reserve Division deputies attend an 80-hour basic law enforcement in-service training course, twice a week for 10 weeks. Capt. Borchers said many Reserve Division deputies have gone on to become full-time, paid officers.

To apply, Capt. Borchers said a person must meet the following criteria:

-Live in St. Bernard Parish
-Be at least 21 years old
-Have earned a high school diploma or GED
-Have a clean police record; background checks will be conducted.

For more information, or to obtain an application, contact Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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