NEW BRITAIN--Members of the clergy in New Britain will soon be helping police fight crime.
Reverend John Morris of Spotswood A.M.E Zion Church is among two dozen church leaders in New Britain taking part in the first Police-Faith-Community Academy in the city.
Morris says, “Our initial concerns were some of the events taking place with police-involved shootings, questionable police tactics, and so we wanted to try to get out ahead of that here in New Britain.”
It's a 12-week program where clergy members will learn about police work, including everything from rules on stopping drivers to processing crime scenes.
“I'm excited about seeing it from a police department perspective,” said Morris.
Morris was thrilled when approached by Rev. Thomas Mills of Grace C.M.E. Church, who came up with the idea. Morris said when he led a church in Dallas two years ago, there was a similar partnership with police.
“Sometimes in traumatic community events there would be a clergy person available for counseling for families, and now we're seeing more and more how police are affected by it,” said Morris.
Police Chief James Wardwell says the church leaders brought the idea to him last year and he liked it.
Chief Wardwell said, “They are giving us insight into all parts of the community. Telling us what it is we're doing right, giving us feedback on things we might not be doing right.”
Morris says he’ll update his church members on what he's learning and also get input from them. “We certainly want to get input and feedback from them. 'What are you seeing? What's going on out there? What are your concerns and what can we convey back to the chief and officers?'”
Wardwell said letters were sent out to churches throughout the city. So far, about 24 clergy members have expressed interest.
Police-Faith-Community Academy gets started April 28.
