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SBSO NEW SPECIAL OPERATIONS FACILITY STRENGTHENS PUBLIC SAFETY

Continuing its commitment to strengthening public safety and enhancing its ability to serve the community, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office officially opened its new multi-use Special Operations Division facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Monday, April 20, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Located on Paris Road behind the Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Bureau, the 20,000-square-foot facility sits on five acres of commercial property donated by the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the $3.6 million project was funded in part through a state capital outlay grant. Several state and local leaders helped move the project forward, including Senate President J. Cameron Henry Jr., State Sen. Joe Bouie, State Rep. Mike Bayham, and St. Bernard Parish Government under both the Guy McInnis and Louis Pomes administrations.

Designed as a centralized hub for SBSO’s emergency response operations, the facility will house specialized equipment, including the Mobile Command Post, boats, light plants, and other critical assets. This eliminates the need for multiple off-site storage locations and allows for more efficient oversight and faster deployment during emergencies, the Sheriff said.

The building also includes dedicated space for the Special Operations Division – including SWAT, Bomb Squad, and Dive Team operations – as well as the Marine and Equipment divisions, which improves coordination and daily operations.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the facility marks another major step forward in strengthening the parish’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

“This facility represents years of planning and a continued commitment to making sure our deputies have everything they need to respond quickly and effectively when our community needs us most,” the Sheriff said. “It’s not just about housing equipment; it’s about being better prepared, better organized, and better positioned to protect the people of St. Bernard Parish in any situation.”

Built with resilience in mind under the direction of Construction Superintendent Col. Pete Tufaro, the facility sits approximately 6½ feet above sea level, providing added protection during major weather events. Engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds and equipped with generator power, it is designed to remain operational through severe weather and extended outages.

Constructed in less than one year with less than a one percent cost overrun, the facility’s open design allows space for assisting agencies and support personnel during large-scale emergencies, strengthening regional response capabilities.

Col. Robert Norton, commander of the Special Operations Division, said the new facility will significantly enhance operational readiness.

“This space brings everything we need under one roof and allows us to train, stage, and respond more efficiently than ever before,” Norton said. “When seconds matter, having immediate access to our equipment and personnel in one centralized location makes a real difference in how we protect this community.”

Sheriff Pohlmann said the project reflects a long-standing vision to create a self-sufficient, multi-use emergency response center capable of supporting both planned events and catastrophic incidents.

With the addition of this facility, the Sheriff said the agency continues to modernize infrastructure and enhance public safety services throughout St. Bernard Parish.

“This is an investment in the future of our parish,” the Sheriff said. “We are building not just for today, but for whatever challenges may come tomorrow.”

Under Sheriff Pohlmann’s leadership, the Sheriff’s Office has made significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and training. These efforts include the construction of new substations at three parish line locations and the development of an outdoor shooting range.

The agency has also completed renovations to both the jail and the 9-1-1 Center, including the addition of a backup 9-1-1 center to ensure continuity of operations.

In addition, the Sheriff’s Office has expanded its use of technology, implementing tools such as a records management system, body cameras, GPS tracking, in-car cameras, crime cameras, e-tickets, and drones. Training efforts have also been strengthened through expanded in-service training opportunities for deputies and supervisors.
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