The Flomaton Town Council has given Police Chief Chance Thompson permission to proceed with a volunteer chaplain program with the only expense to the town being about $400 per year to provide workman's comp insurance for the volunteers.
Thompson told the council members that he's wanting to get three pastors who live in different districts in the town to serve as chaplains. He said they will be considered reserve officers and need to be covered under workman's comp.
He said the chaplains can be used to assist officers when informing a family of someone's death and can also be used to talk to officers if they need someone to talk to.
He said officers sometimes need support after critical incidents and the chaplains will be available.
He said they could also perform crisis intervention and care for victims, families and witnesses of critical incidents.
They will also serve as a liaison between the police department and the faith community.
“This program will help fill a much-needed gap in public safety for our town and community by allowing police chaplains to help provide support for our community, officers and town personnel,” Thompson said. “This program will assist the police department and citizens by having a liaison to the faith community of the town of Flomaton as well.”
