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FAITHFUL SERVICE
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“Fred,” also known as the Rev. Ed Noga, refills water glasses for customers during the dinner rush at Cafe Cimmento in downtown Youngstown before the Carrie Underwood concert last Thursday at the Covelli Centre. The pastor of St. Patrick Church in Youngstown does busboy duties to help out the restaurant owner, who is a church member.
YPD detective goes beyond the call of duty
YOUNGSTOWN — Detective Sgt. Chuck Swanson of the Youngstown Police Department has faith ...
UIn his ability to multitask in his police work as liaison to the YPD Chaplaincy Corps, coordinator of Crime Stoppers, block watch supervisor and the scrap-theft team.
UIn how the corps of 20 chaplains answers the call in daily duty and dire emergencies.
UIn his own Christianity and how it plays a role in his life and as a police officer. He is a member of Highway Tabernacle Church in Austintown.
Swanson joined the department in 1986 and became liaison to the Chaplaincy Corps in October 2008. Before joining the department, he served in the Air Force security patrol and then as a security guard.
His prime motivation is simple: “I love helping people,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to help people solve their problems.”
Swanson said people often think arresting offenders is the main part of police work. “We don’t only make arrests ... though that’s part of the job,” he said. “We’re problem-solvers.”
He said the block watch efforts and community policing demonstrate two areas in which city residents and the police can work together and make a difference.
“I love this city,” Swanson said. “People in the Mahoning Valley are resilient. We have and had troubles, but we can overcome them.”
Working with the Chaplaincy Corps has added another element to his busy schedule, but it’s one he values. “The chaplains are a great asset to the police department,” he said. “They have a relationship with their church members and with people in the community. They know what’s going on in the community.
“They can relay problems. This builds trust and relationships.”
Part of that effort is built on monthly meetings with the chaplains, the liaison officer said. “It’s a time to discuss what’s going on and what’s happened. I answer questions, and we have fellowship.”
Swanson schedules the chaplains to work a week at a time on a rotating basis. The person on call uses a YPD cruiser identified with the word “chaplain.” He said there is a chaplains’ duty roster posted at the department and the 911 Center.
“They’re on call 24/7 ... that’s 168 hours of service,” he said. “This is all volunteer.” The chaplains have given of themselves since the corps was organized Dec. 19, 1988.
Swanson offered an example of the chaplains’ dedication that occurred before his watch but of which he is proud. He said the chaplain on call responded to the Jan. 23, 2008, fatal fire in which six members of the Crawford family died and was joined by the whole Chaplaincy Corps at one time or another.
“No one had to call them; they just came because they were needed,” Swanson said.
Swanson said the chaplains’ unwavering response to daily calls in everything from domestic violence situations to homicides reflects their faith, dedication to the community and willingness to help.
He said his own faith helps make him well-suited to his role as chaplains’ liaison. “We have a common belief that the Holy Spirit works in us,” he said. “I think we relate in that respect.”
He also noted, “In everything I do, I try to mimic what Jesus would do.
“Faith is tested by some events,” Swanson said. But, he noted, faith has helped him on the job. “When I’ve had to do a death notification, I’ve sometimes prayed with the people and quoted Scripture,” he said. “My faith has softened me up a bit. I think I might be more compassionate.”
Police Chief Jimmy Hughes picked Swanson as chaplains’ liaison because “he’s a whole-hearted person, has a religious background and has managerial skills.”
Hughes said that under Swanson’s leadership, he hopes to see the chaplains’ role expand. “I’d like to see them involved in crime reduction ... in the sense of teaching youth about right and wrong and showing a good moral example.
“The chaplains play a vital role in the holistic, community approach to police work. They all do a great job, and the female chaplains have brought another element as nurturing mother figures.”
The Rev. Lewis Macklin, pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Youngstown, took the chaplains’ training in fall 2007. “I think this really connects his faith and being a Christian,” he said of Swanson. “It’s a perfect match.”
linonis@vindy.com