Assistant Chaplain Ron Fortenberry, Assistant Chaplain Dave Lamberson, Chaplain John Bohrer, and Assistant Chaplain Tim Soule.

Currently, four (4) local ministers volunteer as Department Chaplains to assist the department as the need arises. Chaplain John Bohrer, Assistant Chaplains Tim Soule and Dave Lamberson continue participating in the program with Chaplain Ron Fortenberry joining in 1998.

The Department’s Chaplain Program was utilized during both emergency and critical incidents and during death investigations in 1998. The Chaplains also played on the Department’s Basketball Team during the annual "Police vs. Fire" Charity Basketball Games, assisted with our Peace Officers Memorial in May and as mentioned previously, participated in ride-a-longs.

The Chaplains work as a special unit directly under the Chief of Police.  the department Chaplain is Pastor John Bohrer, who has the responsibility of recruiting, training and scheduling of associate Chaplains.

All Chaplains must be ecclesiastically certified, in good standing, with three years experience.  They must also be endorsed by the Tehama County Ministerial Association and the Police Chaplain Unit.

The duties of the Police Chaplains include:

1. Counsel officers in family crisis and stress situations.

2. Assist officers when an accident or incident involving death or serious injury requires someone to comfort and or notify family members.

3. Assist in cases involving religious fraud.

4. To console victims and family members of serious crime or natural disaster.

5. Ride along with officers on patrol.

6. Serve during ceremonial functions such as memorial and funeral services.

7. Plan and present training to department personnel on issues in their area of expertise.

The Chaplains have assisted our officers many times over the years.  They can console victims or family members, which allows the officers to conduct their business with fewer distractions.  Our officers have come to realize the benefit of having Chaplains available in many situations.

This program is one example of citizens assisting the police department in providing superior service to our community.

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