Bentonville Police Department Adds Chaplain Position
By: Kyle Leyenberger, KNWA-TV, Fayetteville
Updated: October 25, 2012
The Bentonville Police Department has created a new position to help officers deal with tragedies.
Pastor Jim Laudell started his new job as the department's chaplain on Wednesday, after the city council approved the position Tuesday night.
Laudell has already met many of the officers and says he received a warm reception. The pastor plans to help officers cope with the emotional side of their demanding jobs.
"(They have) lots of stress, lots of pain sometimes, lots of situations where they'd like to have a friend, you know a shoulder to lean on," Laudell says.
The position is voluntary, and Laudell says he isn't interested in cash. He feels the new job is his calling.
Pastor Jim Laudell started his new job as the department's chaplain on Wednesday, after the city council approved the position Tuesday night.
Laudell has already met many of the officers and says he received a warm reception. The pastor plans to help officers cope with the emotional side of their demanding jobs.
"(They have) lots of stress, lots of pain sometimes, lots of situations where they'd like to have a friend, you know a shoulder to lean on," Laudell says.
The position is voluntary, and Laudell says he isn't interested in cash. He feels the new job is his calling.
