Valdese police and chaplains build bonds

The Chaplain’s Program is in its ice-breaking phase, as Valdese officers and seven chaplains create an open space for discussion.

The multi-denominational program offers support services for the police department whether it’s bringing a hot meal, lending an ear, or giving advice. The program is fairly new as the officers are bonding with the chaplains. Each chaplain has led at least one devotional and are all looking forward to their ride-along with the officers.

Here is how the chaplain’s thoughts on the program and what they hope to see as they grow.

Dr. Rev. Rachel and the Rev. Matt Matthews, of Waldensian Presbyterian Church, are honored to be able to step in as spiritual support for the officers. The two compared the officers becoming emotionally grounded to a tree: If the tree is grounded, the rest of the tree and its leaves grow and thrive.

Rachel explained how the program is a way to “refill their (emotional) tanks” as they experience officer burnout. She’s looking forward to more conversations with the officers who are engaging with their spirituality.

The Rev. Wesley Hendrix, of Mountain Zion Missionary Baptist Church, said the program is in its “honeymoon” phase and is off to an auspicious start.

“It’s beneficial to the officers,” Hendrix. “It’s having a great impact on me because I can see it helping the officers and they have expressed to us the things that we have talked about have helped them ... It’s a blessing to me.”

The Rev. Bill Roberts, of First United Methodist Church, is excited for a chance to ride along with one of the officers and see beyond what they do regularly. He has enjoyed developing relationships with the officers and understanding their personal lives. He knows things are not easy for them and their families.

The Rev. Josh Lail, of Valdese First Baptist Church, hopes this program reminds officers that they are not alone and have people there for them. “It can be a lonely profession,” Lail said. He’s looking forward to deeper relationship-building with the officers, chaplains, and the community.

Although he hasn’t been called upon for “any great crises,” he did offer his shower to an officer who couldn’t get back to his home during Hurricane Helene.

Rev. Tamika Garrison, director of Carolina Caring’s Community and Faith Relations, said this new concept for the Valdese Police Department is “going very well.” She noted that the storm had brought opportunities to support the officers. The response from officers and other law enforcement has been encouraging.

With the mental health crisis, Garrison said that they are helping to provide that support for officers who did not have this resource to lean on in the past. She hopes that other town employees take advantage of this opportunity.

Ordained Deacon Ronnie LeFevers, of Union Grove Baptist Church, highlighted that officers have needed a program like this for some time. He hopes the program can be replicated throughout the town and the county. Having devotionals and offering spiritual support is helping the officers in their day-to-day life.

“We need to clean that wheel,” LeFevers said. “They are able to contact us, for someone to talk to or any prayer requests that they need. It’s to help them bear the burden.”