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SBSO S.W.A.T. SCHOOL
The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office recently held a basic Special Weapons and Tactics school led by Col. Robert Norton and members of the Special Operations Division, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
The school culminated in a graduating class of more than a dozen deputies – including SBSO Dep. Brock Cadman, Dep. Tristan Gray, Dep. John Roques, Dep. Danielle Lewis, Dep. Rhett Fleetwood, Dep. Jean-Paul Tujague and Dep. Coby Stevens.
Other graduates included: Agent and Violent Offender Specialist Dallas Meana and Agent Chris Sanginario with Louisiana Probation and Parole; Nationally Registered Paramedic and Field Training Officer Josh Voras from New Orleans EMS; Officer Dylan Alquist and Officer Robert Reuther from the Pearl River Police Department; Narcotics Detective Kevin Willett with Gautier Police Department in Gautier, Mississippi and a Task Force Officer on the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force in Gulfport, Mississippi; and Narcotics Investigator Ryan Fife, Narcotics Investigator Patrick Crowe, Deputy Colton Poche and Deputy Gabby Lauga, all from the Hancock County Police Department in Mississippi.
Under the direction of Col. Norton, commander of SBSO’s Special Operations Division and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, participants underwent demanding training that consisted of physical fitness activities, firearms training and safety instruction, and classroom time.
Deputies also were put through various courses of fire that involved tactical maneuvers, critical decision-making while mimicking actual incidents and tear gas training.
While everyone involved hopes these types of circumstances the deputies were trained for never have to be dealt with in St. Bernard, Sheriff Pohlmann said his department always trains for the possibilities.
“It’s a question of being prepared in advance for what could happen, while hoping it doesn’t happen,’’ the Sheriff said. “In today’s environment, it’s the preparation that’s the key.’’
Keeping his team abreast of the latest trends in training for these types of occurrences is crucial, the Sheriff said.
A ceremony was held for graduates on May 27 at Nunez Community College in Chalmette.
S.W.A.T. training was implemented by Col. Norton and Capt. Stephen Ingargiola, director of training, along with assistance from Col. Daniel Bostic, assistant commander of S.W.A.T., Lt. David Culpepper, Lt. Chris Scheeler, Lt. Mike Ingargiola, Lt. Robert Mire, Lt. Gary Noriea, Lt. Eric Eilers, Lt. Brent Bourgeois, Sgt. Ronald Stevens, Sgt. Donald Johnson, Sgt. Jacob Hadley, Sgt. Rodney Burke, Sgt. Dixie Dusang, Sgt. Steve Guillot, Sgt. Trey Parks, Agent Richard Scheuermann, Agent Patrick Clark, Dep. Jules Martin III, Dep. Thomas Murana, Dep. Matthew Schmill, Dep. Robert Smith, Dep. Brandon Gaudet, and retired Maj. David DiMaggio.
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New Orleans Emergency Medical Services
Pearl River Police Department
Gautier Police Department
Hancock County Sheriff’s Office – Mississippi
Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
