New Police Chaplain Appointed To Support Westfield Officers

WESTFIELD, NJ — Reverend Alison Philip, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and current Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Westfield was sworn in to serve as Police Chaplain on the Westfield Police Department at the Town Council meeting.on Tuesay night.

"You already know how amazing Alison is," said Mayor Shelley Brindle to the audience. "Thank you for extending your gifts to our police department and the broader community. I always tell Allison she is small but mighty… we’re thrilled and welcome to the family."

Police Chaplains shall provide ministry, guidance, comfort and support to persons on a voluntary basis and not be entitled to any payment or other form of compensation for any services rendered in such capacity, according to the resolution for her appointment.

Philip joins the force with background experience as she previously served as a Chaplain in several hospitals and mental health facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and worked in New York City for interfaith and ecumenical non-profits, including one focused on recovery work following the tragic events of 9/11/2001.

Philip has also received training in coaching and spiritual direction, and meets the unique qualifications required of Police Chaplains as established by applicable law and pursuant to relevant procedure.

Philips joins Deacon Keith Gibbons who was appointed as Westfield Police Department's first police chaplain on Feb. 12, 2019.

"He has been a source of inspiration and strength for me and an absolute blessing to our department and this community. Chaplain Gibbons has made us better at what we do," said Police Chief Christopher Battiloro. "I am certain that she too will make us better at what we do... Alison your new blue family welcomes you and your family."

The Westfield Police Department answers more than 50,000 calls for service per year.

"Our officers are called to deal with just about every single type of problem imaginable and we are expected to be experts at addressing all of them," said Battiloro. "I will be the first to tell you that there are areas where we excel and then there are areas in which where we are in clear need of improvement."

This prompted the creation of the police chaplain position.

"The position of police chaplain was born of the need for us to do better at one of our most difficult jobs — like telling the mother that her 14-year-old daughter had just been killed in a tragic accident," said Battiloro. "The implementation of the police chaplain was recognized by the death of Theresa DiFalco in 2017 and the need for our officers to communicate in a more caring and compassionate way with her mother."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.