Wednesday, January 23, 2008
A co-pastor of Boardman United Methodist Church is the police department’s first volunteer chaplain.
BOARDMAN — Township police are working with local clergy to help crime victims where law enforcement leaves off.
Chief Patrick Berarducci sent a letter earlier this month to township clergy regarding starting a chaplain program.
“What I am offering is an opportunity to partner with me, the men and women of the Boardman Police Department and your fellow clergy in an attempt to make things a little better for the people of Boardman,” Berarducci wrote in the letter. “I have seen the value that a strong and committed chaplain program can provide to victims of crime and abuse as well as their families who are left behind.”
The chief also envisions the clergy’s being available to all township employees, particularly at a time when layoffs and cutbacks are being contemplated.
Twenty-five clergy responded to his letter and attended a luncheon last week with members of the department to talk about the program.
The Rev. Ash Welch, co-pastor of Boardman United Methodist Church, has been instrumental in reaching out to the clergy and was named the police department’s first volunteer chaplain.
The Rev. Mr. Welch, who served as a chaplain in the north Morrow County, Ohio, community where he lived before coming to Boardman six years ago, said it’s a way to be part of the community.
“This is one of the best” communities, Mr. Welch said. “We just have a lot of very caring people in this community.”
He said that he also has had occasion to call upon the police department on behalf of parishioners and says they’ve been treated fairly and respectfully by both officers and police support staff.
Mr. Welch has been called upon twice since October to counsel crime victims.
“I acted as a buffer — or a bridge — between the victims and the authorities,” he said.
Berarducci said additional clergy have expressed interest in participating in the chaplain program.
“Rev. Welch is the first of several members of the Boardman clergy to offer their assistance to our community and our police,” Berarducci said. “He has helped us get our program off the ground. We have had an overwhelming response from members of the clergy and as we complete their background investigations, we will bring them on board and announce their participation.”
The police chaplains will also be quickly available as a group to provide pastoral care in the unlikely event of a critical incident.
Berarducci said he saw the benefits of calling upon chaplains while working as a federal agent particularly in a crisis situation.
“I’m a firm believer that you don’t drop something like [information about a tragedy] and then just walk away,” the chief said. “But there’s only so much you can do with four or five police officers.”
Chaplains will be able to help victims and their families, allowing officers to focus on investigation and their other duties.
On a routine basis, the chaplains will be available to assist victims of crime or serious hardship for which officers would normally not have the time or the training to assist.
“We have created a volunteer network of caring people to help whenever we can,” Berarducci said.
Any member of the clergy interested in the program should contact Sgt. Charles Hillman at chillman@twp.boardman.oh.us or Jennifer Gray at jgray@twp.boardman.oh.us.