COLSTRIP POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE
Larry S. Reinlasoder Chief of Police
Colstrip Police Department, PO Box 9, Colstrip, MT 59323
(406) 748-3004/2211 FAX 748-4832
E-Mail: policechief@cityofcolstrip.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
People in the pic, left to right (standing):
Dennis Wenholz, Joel Payne, Jerry Bonnell, Mike Andrews, Chief
Larry Reinlasoder
Kneeling: Shawn McAlpine
COLSTRIP POLICE AND MINISTERS START A PARTNERSHIP
COLSTRIP, MONTANA- Colstrip Police Chief Larry
Reinlasoder announced that the Colstrip Police Department has
partnered with Clergy from Colstrip and Lame Deer to form a support
group called the Colstrip Police Chaplains Group.
Chief Reinlasoder and the local Colstrip minister’s association
met initially in January and Chief Reinlasoder discussed his vision
for a police and chaplain’s partnership to provide service
and aid to crime victims in Colstrip. Reverend Paul Reeder, who
is a founding member of the Billings Police Chaplain’s Association
that was started in 1978, was invited by Chief Reinlasoder to
explain just what the program would entail and services that might
be provided. The group has continued to meet and discuss how the
police and chaplain’s association could partner in the formation
of the program. The group most recently met on June 20, 2007,
with Rosebud County Victim Witness Coordinator Penny McPherson
and Colstrip City Judge Gayle Beckham and discussed working with
crime victims.
The Colstrip Police Chaplain’s Group is a group of volunteer’s
working with the police department to provide support and “spiritual
first aid” to a person(s) until they can either contact
their own clergy, or be referred to another support group such
as mental health, drug and alcohol counseling, etc. The chaplain’s
provide a supporting role to a person in crisis, but will never
force their beliefs on the person. A police chaplain is only called
to an incident by a police officer. The chaplains are not law
enforcement officers and possess no police authority other than
that of a private citizen.
The Colstrip Police Chaplains may assist police on death notices;
accidents involving serious injury-for comfort to the injured
and their families; persons who are confused or emotionally upset;
attempted or potential suicide, victims and/or their families;
family disturbances; follow up counseling as needed or requested;
persons who simply need to talk over problems; assist police officers
and the people they contact in the performance of their duties;
counsel with persons who are in jail and their families if requested.
The chaplains have already been called twice to counsel people
who have been arrested and were in need of someone to talk to
concerning their depression.
Members of the Colstrip Police Chaplain’s
Group are:
Mike Andrews of First Baptist Church
Jerry Bonnell of the Hysham Baptist Church (Colstrip resident)
Joel Payne of the Colstrip Life’s Journey Church
Bill Medved of the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Dennis Wenholz of the Mount Calvary Luteran Church
Shawn McAlpine of Victory Alliance Church
Robert Shy of United Community Church
Luther Yellowrobe of Lame Deer Pentecostal Church
If additional information is desired for
this story please contact Chief Reinlasoder
Colstrip
Police 
