Chaplain Haydee Hernandez takes center stage to receive her certificate from Assistant Chief Hebert Sharp (left) and Chief Otoniel Reyes.
New Haven police helped cheer as 19 local ministers walked across the stage at the Star of Jacob Christian Church in the Hill neighborhood Wednesday night after completing an eight-week course to prepare them serve as bridges to the community.
Academy Commander Lt. Robert Maturo, Mayor Justin Elicker, Chief Otoniel Reyes, and Assistant Chiefs Herb Sharp, Karl Jacobson, and Renee Dominguez lined across the stage to send off the graduates of a New Haven Police “clergy academy” with their certificates.
The academy required clergy to attend three-hour weekly sessions with cops and others in the criminal justice system to learn about police procedure and the courts, and to prepare to help victims and other community members at crime scenes and other tense situations.
“Now they’re prepared spiritually to go out within communities with a tool belt to help with mental health issues, and critical events that may cause public uprising,” Sharp said.
Chaplain Haydee Hernandez, one of the participants, said growing up in the area made her want neighbors to view the police differently.
She said that residents seeing a familiar face, like hers, will help to build trust between the community and officers.
“Taking the classes was great,” Hernandez said. “We learned more about the roles of the police officers and where they stand. It’s one thing when you’re looking at them as a citizen, but when you’re on the other side you can see more about their roles, and how hard their job is. And how much support they need from the spiritual leaders.”
Chief Reyes said that there was a delay in graduation due to Covid-19; discussion took place about it occurring via Zoom. Reyes decided that the in-person graduation was well worth the wait because of the symbolism that the commencement carried.
“At the end of the day, after the protests are over and after the outcries, and the demand for change for change is done, we have to act. And that has to happen together. This is what this is about. This is about recognizing and creating a deeper relationship with the community. Through connections, you build trust and communication. If you have trust and communication then you can have positive change,” Reyes said. “There’s a lot of things that happen when a traumatic incident happens in the community. The clergy is going to network for us. They can be those eyes and ears, and together we can help to provide the resources to heal the community.”
Mayor Elicker said that the city has been facing extreme challenges not only with the pandemic but with an uptick of violence, unemployment, and homelessness.
“The leadership that we have in our city and that gives me great hope. It makes me so proud everyday to be working side by side with the leadership of the police department, the partners that we have on the Board of Alders, and other partners in the community,” Elicker said.
“This year I’ve attended too many funerals of young people who we’ve lost to gun violence. It’s made me feel a close affinity with leaders in the faith community and the work that you do. Your partnership with the police department and with the city shows that you’ve made an expression of commitment to work with us in the long term. That’s what gives me hope.”
New Haven State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin said that after growing up in a family of faith, he has learned that there’s hope for change.
“Where there’s faith, there’s hope that things can change for the city. That we can heal some of the divisions that have occurred and that continue to occur. The criminal justice system has been the source of some of those divisions. The criminal justice system is not perfect,” Griffin said. “Justice is important. Justice is like air. You can’t feel it, you can’t hold it, but you know when it’s been taken away from you.”
Chaplain Reverend John Revell.
Keynote speaker Chaplain Rev. John Revell, one of the instructors, encouraged the clergy to embrace the responsibility of infusing calmness into the chaos of turmoil among neighborhoods.
“Something that I’ve realized is that on occasion, some of the folks in our communities don’t always represent the facts accurately. Anybody that’s ever arrested, they rarely admit upfront of what they did,” Revell said. “You have the opportunity to make sure that people in the community have the truth. If the truth hurts, that has to be dealt with but if things are circulating that aren’t true then you have the opportunity to be the peacemaker.”
Angel Ramos (at right) with Chief Otoniel Reyes.
Graduate Angel Ramos, an ex-convict who has shared his personal turnaround at community events, plans on being one of those peacemakers among residents.
He said his victories of becoming a chaplain for the Church of God in West Haven and now for the New Haven Police Department after overcoming incarceration will help troubled residents build trust with the police.
“I was the lost shepherd,” Ramos said. “Now I’m found, and look at what the lord brought me.”
Courtney Luciana photos
After retiring as a clinical social worker, Maria Rodriguez said, she wanted to continue mending the cracks in the foundation of the city. Her graduating was a step forward towards that mission.
“I’ve always liked to help the community. I’ve always liked to support the police department. I thought about this opportunity and then I thought, why not. I love to serve,” Rodriguez said. “I think it’s important to know the problems that people are facing and to help them overcome those challenges.”
The following clergy members received certificates Thursday night:
Pastor Gorge Luis Barriera
Pastor Emmanuel Delgado
Pastor Donarell B. Elder
Elder Jonathan M. Gonzalez
Pastor Ilean Gonzalez
Elder Harvey Gregory Sr.
Elder Haydee Hernandez
Pastor Dr. Boise Kimber
Pastor Brixeida Marquez
Reverend Wayne McCrey
Pastor Tarolyn Moore
Pastor James W. Newman
Chaplain Nilda Paris
Chaplain Angel Ramos
Pastor Roberto L. Rivera
Church Counselor Maria E. Rodriguez
Pastor Marcia Smith
Pastor Hector Vera
Pastor Jackie H. William
This was not the first ever "clergy academy". One was held at the NHPD Academy between 2010 thru 2015.