Minister finds second calling with police

The Rev. Ted Crandell has been selected to be the chaplain for the Willows Police Department, city officials announced Monday.

Crandell, 58, of Willows, will be sworn in Dec. 8 at City Hall.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Crandell said. “It’s going to be a real privilege to work with police.”

Crandell has been the senior pastor at the First Baptist Church on Lassen Street in Willows for more than 10 years. He as been a minister for more than 25 years.

“I love to serve,” Crandell said, “and I’ve always felt drawn to both police and firefighters since I was a child.”

The department has not had a chaplain for “many, many years,” Chief Bill Spears said.

No one knows exactly how long the position has been vacant, but it has been several decades, at least, Spears said.

“I believe in the chaplain program very strongly,” Spears said.

The program is a non-denominational, ecumenical ministry with a volunteer clergy. The chaplain provides emotional and, when asked, spiritual support to emergency responders and their families, while also serving as a liaison between victims and services, Spears explained.

“It is not a paid position,” Spears said. “Similar to a military chaplain, they’re just there to help.”

The announcement came at the conclusion of a three-year search to fill the vacancy that included a protracted interview process and a full, two-month background check, Spears said.

Crandell’s appointment comes on the heels of the high-profile arrest earlier this month of another Baptist minister, the Rev. Carlton Hammonds of the Willows Baptist Church, on sexual assault charges.

Crandell declined to comment directly on Hammonds’ arrest, saying the legal process should run its full course.

However, he said several community members have confronted him about the criminal charges levied against Hammonds, sometimes mistaking him for accused.

He said his church also has received more than one angry phone call from people who do not realize they have the wrong church.

“I’m reluctant to talk about it, but some people have even confronted my family members in public,” Crandell said.

Crandell has not been threatened, but called the confusion concerning.

“They just see the word ‘Baptist’ and don’t think about the distinction between the two separate churches. It’s just a bad situation for the whole community,” Crandall said.

Det. Greg Felton of the Glenn County sheriff’s Major Crimes Division, confirmed that Crandell is not connected to any criminal investigations, and particularly the case against Hammonds.

Crandell said he is excited about his upcoming appointment and new role in the community.

“We should all reach out with love and compassion always,” Crandell said.