General News
9 January, 2023
Police wellbeing a top priority for new Chaplain
ARARAT Police have a new source of support for members with the appointment of a Police Chaplain.
ARARAT Police have a new source of support for members with the appointment of a Police Chaplain.
Anglican Priest Father Martin Nadarajan was appointed to the role late last year.
He told the Ararat Advocate, Police do a tough job and he wants to be a source of support to all members.
“It’s a new challenge for me and I’m here to learn,” he said.
My commitment will be half a day a week in the Police Station, just hanging around, have a cup of tea and a chat with members. The role is sort of an extension of our service to the community,” Father Nadarajan said.
“The role is a pastoral role but it isn’t faith based but more about another set of listening years, having a joke and a chat.,”
“It’s also about being a bridge between the community and police,” he said.
Northern Grampians Local Area Commander, Inspector Jo Janes, said Father Nadarajan will be a great asset.
“I haven’t had a Police Chaplain in the two and a half years since I’ve been here so we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Martin into the station to get to know the members and work with us in the community,” she said.
“Having a chaplain around just creates a safe place and by building relationships with Martin, it means my members are more inclined to go and seek help if they’re struggling,” Inspector Janes said.
“The role involves pastoral care, supporting members well being and also helping us understand the communities needs.”
Inspector Janes said Father Nadarajan will play a valuable role when members face traumatic situations.
“Police attend certain jobs that are quite challenging and having someone to step you through processes and different levels of understanding of what it might mean is invaluable.
“We’ve recently had some incidents in Ararat where we identified we really do need that support and we can’t do it on our own,” Inspector Janes said.
“It’s a difficult role sometimes coming in to a police station, the culture inside police stations and the things we deal with, some people wouldn’t necessarily understand or be able to step in to that role.
“I think in Martin we have someone very enthusiastic who will be able to connect with police. I’m very, very pleased,” she said.