JPSO Chaplain’s Do a Wonderful Job, Both at the Correctional Center and With Patrol Division The expansion of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Program has worked out even better than we had hoped. There are now more than 60 Jefferson Parish clergy assisting us, either at the parish Correctional Center or on the road, riding with members of the JPSO Patrol Division. Much of the credit for this goes to Rev. Kathy Radke who started as a volunteer working at the Correctional Center as a 19-year-old. Her energy is unlimited, no task is too difficult for her and she truly believes that counseling by clergy can vastly improve the lives of inmates at the jail while the prayers and counseling of clergy is a source of strength for the men and women of the JPSO Patrol Division. We are continuing to seek additional clergy from Jefferson Parish to serve as Chaplain’s. For more information about the JPSO Chaplain’s Program, please call Deputy Chief Steve LaChute at 363-5549. In addition to the JPSO Chaplain’s Program, the Sheriff’s Office also works closely with other Jefferson Parish clergy through a program we call Cops & Clergy. Working through Cops & Clergy, the Sheriff’s Office helps churches throughout the parish conduct after-school programs that help keep boys and girls off the streets and out of trouble. These programs provide a safe place to study after school and counseling to help students prepare their homework. One of my core beliefs about police work in the 21st Century is that intelligence and sensitivity are going to matter more than physical strength. I believe that introducing our officers to members of the Jefferson Parish clergy will provide access to ministers who will become friends, confidantes and counselors to JPSO police officers. A national survey recently found that more than 80 percent of all marriages involving law enforcement professionals end in divorce and more officers die each year by suicide than are murdered by criminals. While our situation in Jefferson Parish isn’t nearly that dreadful, it would be foolish on our part to deny that tension, turmoil and inner conflict can be inherent in the life of a law enforcement professional. Both Rev. Radke and I believe that having an association with volunteer clergy allows our officers a chance to express themselves to someone who is concerned about them as a person. I want to thank Rev. Radke for her hard work, creativity and devotion to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. She is a wonderful person who has really helped us and will continue to do so. Newell Normand, Sheriff
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:08:41 +0000
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