GRAND ISLAND — The Grand Island Police Department held a pinning ceremony Wednesday for 10 chaplains who will provide support to officers and first responders in times of need.

The department is taking a faith-based approach to supporting its staff, with chaplains available all hours of the day to assist officers dealing with traumatic situations.

“We see things on a daily basis that most people go their whole life without seeing,” Mike Pena said, a former police officer who was pinned as a new chaplain.

Division Chief Dean Elliott said the emotional toll on first responders prompted the department to seek additional support resources.

“It’s difficult to go and tell someone that their loved one died,” Elliott said. “And the reaction that you may get may be crying and screaming.”

The c

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