Belleville’s Police Chief had misgivings about appointing a Chaplain for the police service when the move was made in 2019.
Mike Callaghan told the Police Services Advisory Board Thursday that having a dedicated Chaplain at the Ottawa Police Service did not work.
However, in Belleville, the appointment of Padre Brad Beale to provide spiritual guidance to often stressed officers has been a huge success.
The Padre often goes out on patrol with officers with many asking that he go on shifts with them and provide support with any mental health issue they might have to deal with.
On top of all that, he brings delicious date squares to police headquarters on a weekly basis.
Several officers attended the board meeting as Reverend Beale described his work’s focus.
” … to remind the officers that there’s a whole number of us in the community that completely and totally stand behind you folks and support what you’re doing and have some understanding of what you’re doing and to know that you’re loved, you know, just simply that you’re loved.”
The popular Padre was honored by having the patrol meeting room named the Padre Brad Beale Wellness Room.
Reverend Beale also serves at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church.
