Nonprofit partners with RPD to assist officers with 'emotional and spiritual' support

George Beech is used to getting late-night phone calls from police officers. He once got a call from a Rochester Police Department officer who was with a citizen just diagnosed with terminal cancer. The man was asking the officer what would happen when he died — a question the officer didn’t know how to answer. Beech, a former pastor, said he’d be there in eight minutes, and all three spent the next two hours talking on a park bench.

This conversation is one of many between chaplains and officers that have taken place through RPD’s partnership with Salt & Light, a Rochester-based nonprofit focused on using chaplaincy to provide emotional and spiritual support for community organizations.

RPD officer Ben Schlag has spent time with multiple chaplains since the partnership began, including taking them on ride-alongs. He said a ride-along with a chaplain is similar to one with any other person, but chaplains bring a unique mission and skill-set.

“In my experience thus far, a chaplain will ride in the squad with me for a few hours, and we will discuss a variety of different topics as they relate to life both professionally and personally,” Schlag said.

Although the chaplains involved with the organization are open to talking to officers about faith, Beech said the organization is nondenominational, and none of the pastors involved are from the same institution.

“We will serve anybody from any faith or no faith at all,” Beech said. “Our job is to serve the police officers and staff, their families, and the public through emotional and spiritual health. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with faith.”

Schlag said he feels that the chaplains fill many roles, including helping members of the public when challenging situations arise.

“I feel that they are there to assist with officer and citizen well-being above all else,” he said. “This is a welcome addition and blessing to our agency, as it is no secret the last couple years have been a difficult time for law enforcement.”

He said knowing officers can access the chaplains when they need them is “comforting.”

“Many times, law enforcement will respond to a scene and encounter someone in crisis or going through a period of intense loss or grief,” Schlag said. “Even though we as officers have a desire to help in any way we can, sometimes it’s better to rely on a chaplain. To be able to request assistance from a trained civilian is extremely valuable, as they don’t bring a uniform, marked police car and duty belt with them.”

Schlag said he believes that RPD’s partnership with Salt & Light is an asset that makes RPD “way ahead of the curve when it comes to 21st century policing.”

In the near future, Beech said, Salt & Light is looking to expand its outreach to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. The organization also partners with Visiting Angels, Crossroads Church Partners and TEAM Rochester, as well as other private companies and public organizations.

“We’re here to serve the people who serve us,” Beech said.

Lexie Pitzen is a SE Minnesota native with a bachelor’s degree in Information, Communication and Technology from Florida State University. When she’s not writing, she enjoys making art, drinking coffee, and being outdoors.