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4 pastors sworn in as Canfield police chaplains
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Chaplains, from left, Brian Dean of Kingdom Nation Church, Jay Eastman of Canfield Christian, Rebecca Richie of Lord of Life Lutheran and Larry Bowald of Canfield Presbyterian line up for a portrait outside the Canfi eld Police Department.
By Elise Franco
Canfield
Mayor William Kay has sworn in four city pastors as the Canfield Police Department’s first chaplains.
The Revs. Larry Bowald of Canfield Presbyterian, Jay Eastman of Canfield Christian, Rebecca Richie of Lord of Life and Brian Dean of Kingdom Nation churches took an oath Monday to lead the new chaplain program.
Kay said he has no doubt this program will be beneficial to the community as well as the police force.
“Each of you has this gift. ... It’s wonderful that you chose to offer your gift to us,” he said. “I have no doubt you will help a lot of people.”
Sgt. Scott Weamer said the chaplains will have several roles:
Providing assistance to members of the community, the department, employees and family members during critical incidents.
Acting as a liaison between the Canfield Police Department and other religious leaders in the community.
Assisting with the delivery of serious-injury or death notifications to members of the department or the community.
Providing pastoral counseling to employees of the police department.
Providing comfort or visitation to sick or injured employees at their home or in the hospital.
Participating in funeral or memorial services for active or retired department employees.
Attending social events or ceremonies and offering the invocation and benediction.
Weamer said he began researching chaplain programs in September 2009 after police Chief Chuck Colucci said he’d like to bring one to Canfield.
“We wanted to reach out to the clergy in the city and have them provide these services to residents that we hadn’t provided before,” Weamer said. “There are certain times when we, as officers, can only do so much.”
He said the program is cost-free, including Ohio Peace Officer Training sessions.
The Rev. Mr. Dean said he agreed to be a part of the program to give back to the officers who give every day.
The Rev. Mr. Bowald said it’s another way to be involved in the community.
For the Rev. Mr. Eastman, this program will give him the chance to show Canfield that he cares.
The Rev. Ms. Richie simply wants to make a difference in someone’s life.