Huron Township public safety department announces chaplain program

Posted by Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub | Oct. 22, 2021

The Huron Township Department of Public Safety announced the launch of their chaplain program this week.

The public safety chaplain program offers a number of unique ministries and services to the Huron Township community.

The program will provide services related to serious injury, sudden illness or death of a police officer or firefighter (including their families), the counseling of police officers, dispatchers, or firefighters with personal or family related problems and the vital ministry of caring about the job that the professional public safety employee is asked to perform.

“Chaplains are looked upon with great respect as they represent their place of worship within our community. They will be there for the Huron Township community in times of great need or disaster while assisting our public safety department in carrying back the Department’s mission of service to the community,” said Everette Robbins, Huron Township director of public safety.

“Many times, they will be asked to help promote a more positive relationship between the public safety department and the Huron Township community. They will also be of great benefit to our staff who see things daily that could rightfully affect their mental health and personal well-being.”

Some of the duties of a chaplain are:

-Fostering familiarity with the role of law enforcement in the community.

-Providing an additional link between the community, other chaplain coordinators and the Agency.

-Providing a liaison with various civic, business, and religious organizations.

-Assisting the community when they request representatives or leaders of various denominations.

-Assisting the community in any other function, as needed, or requested.

-Making referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed or in cases that are beyond the chaplain’s ability to assist.

-Responding to any significant incident (e.g., natural, and accidental deaths, suicides and attempted suicides, family disturbances) in which the Patrol Sergeant or supervisor believes the chaplain could assist in accomplishing the mission of the Agency.

-Responding to all major disasters, such as natural disasters, bombings, and similar critical incidents

“I want our residents, business owners, and anyone who travels through our community to know this service is available to them anytime they may need it. It is an optional service that’s only intent is to help those that need it the most to get through a difficult time,” Robbins said.

“Without doubt, we have chosen two men who very much invested in this community, a place where they both call home. They both possess the integrity and ethics consistent with our organization’s core values. I am personally very proud to have Jim and John as part of our public safety family.”

Chaplain John Schwartz Bio:
Chaplain Schwartz grew up in Taylor, Michigan and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1973. He worked 24 years in the automotive industry before hearing God’s call to Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Chaplain Schwartz graduated from CTS with a Master of Divinity degree and received his first parish call to St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Shelby, Michigan. In 2007, God called him to Peace Lutheran Church and School in Warren, Michigan where he served 9 years. Chaplain Schwartz currently serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Boston. He pursued Chaplain training and is honored to serve First responders and the community of Huron Township in this role.

Chaplain James DuFour:
Chaplain James (Jim) DuFour is the founding pastor of Christian Bible Church, which initially started meeting in Huron High School back in August of 2008. CBC is a non-denominational, Bible Church that has since relocated to a permanent site located in Trenton, at 647 Sibley Road.

Jim has also been serving the community as the commander of the Huron Township Police Reserve Unit for 20 years. Jim is a fourth-generation resident of the Township and graduated from Huron High School in 1978. He and his wife, Marie DuFour (Moran), have lived in Huron for 39 of their nearly 40 years of marriage. Together they have raised four children and currently have one granddaughter.