Alton Police Department Welcomes New Chaplain

City of Alton - Committee of the Whole Meeting

ALTON – The Alton Police Department gained a new member this week who Chief Jarrett Ford says is already making a positive impact on officers.

At the April 20, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, Father Garron Daniels was officially sworn in as the department’s newest police chaplain.

Daniels currently serves as rector of The Episcopal Parish of Alton. As chaplain, Ford said Daniels will provide Alton officers, department staff and families, and community members with guidance, counseling, spiritual and emotional support, and more.

“Our police chaplains must demonstrate strong personal character, integrity, and discipline,” Ford said. “They often respond to critical incidents when requested and help with death notifications, funerals, and crisis situations. They serve as a liason between the department and the community, connecting individuals with resources and organizations when needed.”

Ford added that Daniels is well-educated and very involved in the local community as a member of the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council, Alton Main Street, and other local organizations. He said Daniels has been mentored by the department’s senior chaplain and has been visiting with jail staff, inmates, and officers alike.

“We’re blessed to have you, and we appreciate all that you’ve done already and will continue to do for our officers and the community,” Ford said. “In just the small amount of time that you’ve been doing this, you’re already valued at the department and the officers say very great things about you – so whatever you’re doing, keep doing, and I think this is going to be the future of the police chaplain program.”

Ford also commended the initiative of Deputy Chief Dustin Christner, who recently volunteered to attend a conference on becoming a chaplain in order to learn more about the role along with Daniels.

A full recording of the April 20, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.

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