St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division provides opportunity for citizens to give back to their community

Dep. Melissa Wickboldt started her law enforcement career in 2014 as a St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division deputy. After spending two years as a Reserve deputy, Wickboldt decided she wanted a career in law enforcement so in 2016 she joined the department as a full-time, paid deputy.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division deputies also help make extra patrols in busy shopping centers during the holiday season.

When Melissa Wickboldt attended a Citizens Police Academy course offered by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office in 2014, she had no idea how much it would change the course of her life.

“I was really intrigued by what I had learned in the class,” said Wickboldt, who was working at a daycare center at the time.

Soon after attending the Academy, a free, 10-week program that teaches private citizens about police work, Wickboldt decided to join the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division.

Reserve Division officers are unpaid, volunteer deputies who supplement the department’s manpower at local events such as festivals, parades, and high school sports games. They also help make extra patrols in busy shopping centers during the holiday season.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said the Reserve Division deputies provide a valuable service to the department.

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

After spending two years as a Reserve deputy, Wickboldt decided she wanted a career in law enforcement so in 2016 she joined the department as a full-time, paid deputy.

She graduated from Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police academy, in 2017, and now works in the Criminal Records Division.

Dep. Wickboldt said Reserve Division deputies are a huge asset to the department, and the community as well.

“I think it helps the community and frees up our patrol deputies for tougher situations because the Reserve Division deputies get more time to interact with the community at local events,” Dep. Wickboldt said. “Being a Reserve deputy was very rewarding to me because it gave me an avenue to give something back to my community.”

Sgt. Chris Palazzalo, a deputy with the Reserve Division since 2012, agrees.

“I like helping people and I like interacting with them,” he said. “From the football games to the parades, I just truly have a good time doing this.”

Sgt. Palazzalo, who has a full-time job in the private sector, graduated from P.O.S.T. school in 2013. He encourages residents to consider donating their time as a Reserve deputy as well.

“You have to be a people person,” he said, “but the training will be provided and it is very rewarding to know you are helping keep your community safe.”

According to Capt. Charles Borchers, commander of the Reserve Division, there are currently about two dozen Reserve Division deputies, and the department always welcomes new applicants.

Capt. Borchers said Reserve officers attend an 80-hour basic law enforcement in-service training course, twice a week for 10 weeks.

“You do not need a background in law enforcement,” Capt. Borchers said. “We will teach you what you need to know and supply uniforms as well.”

Capt. Borchers said many Reserve Division deputies have gone on to become full-time, paid officers, and several paid, full-time officers who left to work in another profession joined the Reserves just to stay involved with the department and continue to help their community.

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.