Four Clergymen Sworn In As Madison Police Chaplains

MADISON, N.J.– Four local clergymen were approved by the Madison Borough Council to serve as chaplains for the police department.

Those men: Rev. A. Craig Dunn of the First Baptist Church; Rev. Scott Foster of thePresbyterian Church of Madison; Rev. Monsignor George Hundt of St. Vincent Martyr Church; and Father Derek Anderson of St. Mary’s Church.

Police chaplain is a sworn volunteer position, said Morris County Prosecutor's Office Spokesman Paul Merkler.

Ordained clergymen and clergywomen who serve in Madison Borough are eligible to become chaplains, according to Merkler.

The position required training, certification and a recommendation from the police chief, he said.

Currently, Rev. A. Craig Dunn is the senior chaplain.

According to Merkler, the chaplains will ride with duty officers, assist with death notifications, and conduct station house adjustments, an alternative method used to handle first-time juvenile offenders who have committed minor juvenile delinquency offenses.

"This is another positive example of how our police department under the leadership of Chief [Darren] Dachisen works with the Madison community to build bridges of communication and trust," Madison Mayor Bob Conley said.

Photo courtesy Morris County Prosecutor's Office

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