St. Bernard Parish is setting a foundation, quite literally, for enhanced law enforcement capabilities with the groundbreaking of a new Special Operations Division building. The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff James Pohlmann, celebrated the onset of construction on Tuesday behind the SBSO Field Operations Bureau on Paris Road, according to the Sheriff's Office website. Joining forces with the generous donation by the Meraux Foundation, this new 19,200 square-foot facility is pegged to be a critical hub, sheltering equipment and offering refuge during intense incidents such as hurricanes.
The building will not be a simple storage space. It will house advanced training areas for tactical exercises and dedicate office space to support operations, as Sheriff Pohlmann expressed, “This new Special Operations Division building is an investment in the safety and preparedness of our parish.” The funding for this $3.7 million construction comes through a state capital outlay project grant of $2.5 million, and the balance, funded by the Sheriff's Office general fund. The anticipated project completion is by year’s end, 2025, suggesting a commitment to a safer future for the community of St. Bernard Parish.
With Col. Robert Norton at the helm of the Special Operations Division, specialized units like S.W.A.T. and the Training and Marine Divisions will find a home in the new building. The space is expected to bolster the department’s response to emergencies, allowing for a streamlined approach during crises. Col. Norton highlighted this anticipation in his statement, “Having a dedicated space to house our specialized equipment and train our personnel ensures we can always be ready for major occurrences.”
About the ongoing development in law enforcement infrastructure, Sheriff Pohlmann's tenure has seen significant growth since his initial election in 2011. The Paris Road and Judge Perez Drive substations that swung open their doors in 2015, are testament to this growth, being constructed with FEMA funds following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. These facilities not only enhance the operational efficiency of the Sheriff's Office but also foster a network, established to vigilantly protect the St. Bernard community. The Judge Perez substation in Arabi is a hub for the Special Investigations Division, including the Narcotics Division, K-9 Unit, and the DARE program. Meanwhile, the Paris Road substation operates around the clock, every day of the year managing Patrol, Traffic, and Motorcycle Divisions.
The augmenting of St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office's capacities reflects a more modernized approach well aligned with current community demands. It, connects with the broader narrative of a resilient parish fortifying its protections against both the criminal element and the caprice of Gulf storms. With a steadfast vision toward safety and service, facilities like the Criminal Investigations Bureau and the new Special Operations Division building symbolize the unyielding spirit of a community looking ahead, ready and prepared for tomorrow's uncertainties.
