Chaplain Corp.
NCPD Chaplains are volunteer members of the New Castle Police Department. They offer spiritual support and assistance to civilians and law enforcement officers in times of crisis. Chaplains are the comforting presence, the stabilizing influence in a time of uncertainty and fear. They have a deep concern for the spiritual and emotional well being of law enforcement personnel. They are there when an officer says, “Chaplain, do you have a few minutes? I need to talk about something that has been bothering me.”
NCPD Chaplains know they need to be with our officers whenever and wherever their service is needed. Chaplains are bound by “privileged communication” so that conversations and concerns shared with a Chaplain are kept in complete confidence. Through experience and training Chaplains show compassion, understanding and love for others; relate easily to people regardless of race, sex, creed or religion; maintain high moral and spiritual standards; and are willing to respond in all situations where the presence of a chaplain is indicated or requested as God’s representatives to a hurting people.
NCPD Chaplains can be called upon at any time, day or night, seven days a week. However, the Chaplain will not and does not wish to take the place of the citizen’s or officer’s own pastor. The Chaplain is there to help until the family’s pastor can arrive, or to be the pastor if the family has no church affiliation.
NCPD Chaplain Duties include:
Being available on a 24 hour call basis.
Attending roll calls and riding along with the NCPD when able.
Helping officers deal with confused and/or emotionally distressed persons.
Aiding in cases of domestic disputes where families are willing.
Comforting persons seriously injured in accidents, or comforting their family members.
Assisting with attempted or potential suicide victims and their families.
Assisting in making notifications to families when there has been a death.
Responding when an officer is killed or injured in the line of duty.
Responding to scenes of major disasters in which law enforcement officers are involved, Chaplains are there in the field with the officers.
Promoting and conducting memorial services when appropriate.
Observing National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Week, May 15th each year.
Attending award ceremonies, dinners, social events, and other public functions.
Serving as liaisons for the NCPD with other religious leaders in the community.
Qualifications – All NCPD Chaplains:
Are ordained or licensed ministers in good standing with a recognized religious body with at least five (5) years experience in ministry
Are residents of the New Castle Area for at least one (1) year.
Are carefully screened by the NCPD and the Chaplain’s Corps, undergo a background check, and complete training and probationary periods
Have a broad base of experience in professional ministry
Are emotionally stable and personally flexible
Current Lead Chaplain
Rev. Gary Crowe
Rev. Gary Crowe, Senior NCPD Chaplain is an Ordained Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). A native of Ottumwa, IA, Rev. Crowe graduated from Drake University, Des Moines, IA with a BA in Religion in 1979. After graduation he worked at Siddhartha House, a home for at risk youth in Ottumwa, Iowa. He attended Lexington Theological Seminary, in Lexington, Kentucky where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 1986. Rev. Crowe then served ministries at Morton Community UCC, Morton, IL (1986-87); Bedford Christian Church, Bedford, KY (1987-1989); Rock Falls Christian Church, Rock Falls, IL (1989-1993); Bement Christian Church, Bement, IL (1993-1996); and First Christian Church, New Castle, PA (1996-2007). In April of 2007 he began employment as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator with Midwestern Intermediate Unit 4 in Grove City. Rev. Crowe served previously as a volunteer police chaplain in Rock Falls, Illinois and has been part of the NCPD Chaplain Corp since 1997. He lives in Shenango Township with his wife, Anne.