Township swears in 10 police chaplains

Township swears in 10 police chaplains

Nine clergy members from around Montclair were sworn in as Township Police Department chaplains at a ceremony on Tuesday. The swearing-in took place at the Township Council meeting, and among those signing the oath of office were, from left, Rabbi David Greenstein; Pastor Robert Coles Jr.; Chaplain Barbra Bleecker; and the Rev. Michele Brown. COURTESY MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP

The Township Council on Tuesday night swore in nine chaplains, representing various faiths, as part of a new Montclair Police Department program.

The police chaplains, clergymen and -women, represent houses of worship throughout Montclair.

Police Chief Todd Conforti addressed the council and explained the purpose of the chaplains.

“The program is designed to have a team of clergy members from the community with different religious backgrounds working alongside members of the department during times of crisis or incidents where a more comprehensive response will be given to those in need,” Conforti said.

Township police officials gathered with the first nine clergy members who were sworn in last week as Police Department chaplains. COURTESY CHRIST CHURCH
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“As police officers we often see members of the community at their most difficult times and, though police try and offer emotional assistance to those in need, it is always beneficial to have as many support systems as possible within the department and within this community,” the chief said. “I am fortunate to have members of the clergy offering their expertise, wisdom and faith to the police department of Montclair.”

Those sworn in were: Rabbi David Greenstein, Congregation Shomrei Emunah; Pastor Elbert Maxwell, the Sword of the Spirit Christian Church Ministry; Pastor Robert Coles Jr., Petra Baptist Church; Pastor Brian Major, Christ Church; the Rev. Michele Brown, St. Paul Baptist Church; Pastor Ron Gonzalez, Christ Church; Chaplain Barbara Bleecker, Religious Society of Friends Montclair monthly meeting; the Rev. Paul Leggett, Grace Presbyterian Church; and Elder Terrance Taylor, Just One Prayer Away Deliverance Ministries.

A 10th chaplain, the Rev. A. Craig Dunn, a Montclair resident and senior pastor-elect at First Baptist Church of Madison, was sworn in as a chaplain on Tuesday, May 2.

The Montclair police chaplains received their own uniforms. COURTESY MONTCLAIR POLICE
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As a uniform for their official roles in the police department the chaplains were given jackets with their names on them, short- and long-sleeved shirts and baseball caps, according to Police Officer Paul Rusiniak of the community service unit.

—Linda Moss

Filed Under: Christ Church, Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair Police Department, Rabbi David Greenstein, Rev. Michele Brown, Rev. Paul Leggett, St. Paul Baptist Church, Township Council
Categories: News, Public Safety, Religion
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