CHIEFS & CLERGY
CHIEFS & CLERGY
The Chiefs and Clergy Partnership was founded in 2016 by York County Chiefs of Police, the Black Ministers Association of York, and York area clergy in response to the racial unrest and fair policing in our nation and local community. The partnership meets together monthly for dialogue at Logos Academy and York County police departments.
Our Mission
To be a racially diverse movement of police chiefs, clergy, and community leaders in York County, Pennsylvania that encourages relationships, reconciliation, and dialogue between law enforcement and community.
Our Vision
Since 2016, our vision has been that York develops a reputation as One York: a peaceful and thriving community in the following:
- Mutual respect, honor, and trust between police, other law enforcement, and community
- Fairness and justice in the way our community is policed
- An increase in cooperation toward the safety of our community
The Chiefs and Clergy Partnership was founded in 2016 by York County Chiefs of Police, the Black Ministers Association of York, and York area clergy in response to the racial unrest and fair policing in our nation and local community. The partnership meets together monthly for dialogue at Logos Academy and York County police departments.
Safer Together Chats
Safer Together Chats
Episode 1 – How York County police and clergy are building trust
In a county – and nation – in which some communities and police have clashed for decades over discriminatory law enforcement practices, York County is engaged in strengthening these relationships. Two groups in York County have been gathering for years to openly discuss the way police departments enforce the law in neighborhoods. Chiefs and their officers from across the county and the Black Ministers Association are tearing down decades of mistrust by simply talking and listening.
Episode 6 – Police mental health call went from knife to a saved life
Officer Ryan Henry from York County Regional Police Department acted fast. A Spring Grove man had a knife to his throat, threatening suicide. Listen as Ryan explains how he was able to help the man as well as Sergeant Corey Sheaffer’s observations of Ryan’s de-escalation techniques. Both officers successfully intervened in a potentially tragic situation through patience, empathy, and professional training.
Episode 1 – How York County police and clergy are building trust
In a county – and nation – in which some communities and police have clashed for decades over discriminatory law enforcement practices, York County is engaged in strengthening these relationships. Two groups in York County have been gathering for years to openly discuss the way police departments enforce the law in neighborhoods. Chiefs and their officers from across the county and the Black Ministers Association are tearing down decades of mistrust by simply talking and listening.
Episode 6 – Police mental health call went from knife to a saved life
Officer Ryan Henry from York County Regional Police Department acted fast. A Spring Grove man had a knife to his throat, threatening suicide. Listen as Ryan explains how he was able to help the man as well as Sergeant Corey Sheaffer’s observations of Ryan’s de-escalation techniques. Both officers successfully intervened in a potentially tragic situation through patience, empathy, and professional training.
Meeting Recaps
September: The September 17 incident where three police officers were killed and two more wounded – how the group can support them, setting up regular visits at police stations to build rapport with officers so they can call a trusted pastor during times of crisis.
October: County-wide Chaplaincy program, body-worn cameras and recording procedures, writing a joint statement thanking the community following fallen officer tragedy.
November: Lt. David Godfrey visited and shared a few words, the camera network decision, and ways we can continue to tell the good, often untold, stories between police and our neighbors.
Meeting Recaps
November 2025: Lt. David Godfrey visited and shared a few words, the camera network decision, and ways we can continue to tell the good, often untold, stories between police and our neighbors.
December & January: Holiday break & inclement weather
February 2026: Immigration and the ways local law enforcement continue to police York County the way they always have.
March 2026: ICE agent shared the realities of their work and answered questions from our clergy.
April 2026: Debriefing following the ICE Q&A and discussed the county-wide Police Chaplaincy program set to launch this summer.
Believing that relationships are critical, the York County Safety Collab is a law enforcement and community partnership for improved public safety, with a special focus on youth. We are safer together.
Believing that relationships are critical, the York County Safety Collab is a law enforcement and community partnership for improved public safety, with a special focus on youth. We are safer together.