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Council creates volunteer police chaplain position subject to formal agreement
Summary
After chief’s presentation, the council approved creating a volunteer police chaplain role to provide pastoral and crisis counseling; approval was conditional on drafting an agreement that permits quick termination and clarifies duties and language access.
Bridgeport councilors voted March 24 to create a volunteer police chaplain position, directing the chief and borough counsel to draft a formal agreement that defines duties and termination rights.
"Police chaplaincy is not a new thing," the chief said, describing the role as providing counseling and pastoral services to victims, families and officers at traumatic incidents and as a way to supplement county services in the immediate moment. He said the program would be interfaith and could include Spanish-speaking volunteers.
Council members asked for contractual language that allows the borough to terminate the relationship on short notice if problems arise; borough counsel (Mr. Bello) recommended drafting terms that preserve that right while the chief and counsel finalize candidate qualifications.
President El Zaid noted the value of Spanish-speaking chaplains, saying, "some of the people that you're considering speak Spanish, which I think is something that's super helpful and useful across the borough." The chief confirmed language capacity is a consideration in candidate selection.
The council approved the concept and directed staff to prepare a written agreement to be returned for council approval at the next meeting. The authorization was framed as a directional approval to proceed with drafting, not as a final hire or contract award.
