VENTNOR – The Board of Commissioners Thursday, July 25 introduced an ordinance creating the position of chaplain in the Ventnor City Police Department.
The ordinance creates the position of chaplain, but the appointment of Pastor Louis Strugala of Church by the Bay in Galloway Township will be made by resolution after the ordinance is approved.
Rev. Strugala will serve without compensation and without rank but will become an official member of the Police Department, the city attorney said.
The ordinance comes on the heels of Rev. Strugala’s December 2023 appointment as chaplain of the Longport Police Department. He also serves as chaplain for the NJ State Police, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and several other Atlantic County law enforcement agencies, including Somers Point, Egg Harbor Township, Linwood and Northfield.
The ordinance reads, “The Police Chaplain shall be appointed by the Police Chief and shall be an ordained clergyman in good standing in the religious body from which he is selected.”
The position is something the Police Department has asked for, said Mayor Tim Kriebel, who serves as Commissioner of Public Safety.
“It’s a way outside of a normal route to have discussion with somebody during emergencies,” Kriebel said. “It’s non-denominational.”
Police Chief Joseph Fussner said the appointment would add to the “resiliency and well-being” of police officers.
“It’s not just police…he can deal with fire, EMS, victims, families,” Fussner said.
The department was seeking to add another resource for the officers and is currently working to establish a policy governing the role, Fussner said.
“It’s a great resource, not only for PD, but all our guys serving in that line. They need someone to talk to,” Landgraf said.
Kriebel said the appointment will have a positive impact on the mental well-being of officers and other first responders during and after emergency situations.
“We as individuals only have a handful of extreme situations and they have hundreds in their lives. It’s something that is necessary for all our first responders,” Kriebel said.
A second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 at Ventnor City Hall, 6201 Atlantic Ave.
In other business, the board adopted a $3.8 million bond ordinance that appropriates funds for the rehabilitation of the Surrey Avenue water tower, including interior and exterior painting, permitting, engineering and administration. The bond will be repaid over a 40-year period.
The board also approved an ordinance setting a Uniform Construction Code administrative fee, and accepted a $5,250 grant for the Police Department to create a pedestrian awareness campaign.
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