San Leandro Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli is proud to introduce the three newest members of the Department Family. The SLPD is fortunate to have three well-established members of the religious community serving in the new Chaplaincy Program. The new Chaplains are Reverend Gerald Pickett, Pastor Sue Kuipers and Father Jayson Landeza.
A police chaplain volunteers his/or time to provide counseling to department members, their families, and other members of our community. The chaplain may do this by providing a sympathetic ear to an officer who has experienced a traumatic incident such as an accident, a shooting, or even a non-police-related death in the family. Essentially, a chaplain is there to provide a friendly and easily accessible resource who can help members and their families get past their personal or spiritual issues. A chaplain also provides support by visiting sick or injured members. These are just a few examples of the support Chaplains provide.
Reverend Gerald Pickett has been a member of the San Leandro Police Department since November 1st 1977. He is currently the associate Minister at Good News Baptist Church in Tracy, and has been for 12 years. Gerald spent six years in the seminary, in the Sacramento School of Theology and Bible Base School of Theology in Stockton where he graduated with Honors.
Father Jayson Landeza was born and raised in Berkeley and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1987. He is currently serving St. Felicitas Church in San Leandro and has been there since August 2010. He serves as Chaplain for the Oakland Police Department, Oakland Fire Department, BART Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. Father Landeza provided support to Oakland police officers after four of their members were slain on March 21st 2009. He also played a pivotal role in the preparation of the funeral for these officers.
Sue Kuipers is a Community Outreach and Youth Pastor and the Director of Youth and Education at Christ’s Community Church in Hayward. Sue’s father was a community service officer with the Hayward Police Department in the 1970’s. On June 29th, 1974, while working as a Jailer, Sue’s father was killed by a prisoner attempting to escape from the Hayward jail. Since this tragedy, Sue often thought about renewing her ties to the Hayward Police Department. Whenever there would be a major incident where an officer was injured or killed, Sue thought about offering support and comforting them and their family. Sue made this a reality, becoming the Hayward Police Department’s first ever Chaplain.
The San Leandro Police Department is honored and grateful to have these three wonderful people supporting its members.
(Sue Kuipers is not shown in the image provided).
