Centralia Police Chief Christopher Locke announced the creation of the Chaplain program at Monday night’s city council meeting.
He says the Chaplain will have duties related to members of the police department as well as the public.
“The Police Chaplain is there to provide support for the police officers and civilians in their needs. They are there to provide appropriate advice, assistance, comfort, counsel, and referrals to those in need who may request support. The faith-based leaders will perform tasks of a more emotional, social, or spiritual nature. While the officers handle the tasks that are more law enforcement in nature.”
Locke also announced the department’s first Police Chaplain will be Pastor Steve Upchurch of the Rock Church. He will also serve as Lead Chaplain if additional ministers volunteer their services. Upchurch first joined the Rock Church when it was still the Orchardville Church in 2008. Prior to that, he spent 28 years in Plant Management in the Centralia area and has been involved with the music ministry in several Centralia churches.
Upchurch says he realized police officers face very challenging situations and he and his wife, Jennifer, see this as an opportunity to continue serving the Centralia community at a deeper level.
