Chaplains coordinate for merger of Chatham County, Savannah police

<p>Rev. Patrick OBrien said he will continue his work as an emergency chaplain despite last weeks merging of county and city police departments.</p><p>The Roman Catholic priest known as Father Pat held the honorary rank major in the former Chatham County Police Department.</p><p>OBrien, one of two chaplains with the former county police, said hell continue listening to his police radio and responding when called.</p><p>The newly formed Savannah-Chatham County Metropolitan Police has added him to the seven chaplains who had been serving Savannah police.</p><p>The chaplains are going to be needed and we have been informed of that and, as a result of that, we are the chaplain corps for the (new) police department, OBrien said.</p><p>Hell have to learn new names and faces, but not new territory.</p><p>I know almost every street in Savannah, OBrien said.</p><p>The pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Wilmington Island, who has volunteered with county police for 20 years and with Savannah police before that, often accompanies officers to deliver death notifications or injury updates to family members of accident or crime victims. He also counsels and supports officers and victims when asked.</p><p>The new group of chaplains are expected to meet soon to define their new roles.</p><p>Police officials say they do not expect those jobs to change and will be examining how theyll be most effective.</p><p>We definitely need them here in light of what officers face everyday, said Sgt. Mike Wilson. Theres definitely a need for a man of God to be in the house.</p>

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