A pastor who confronted police after they arrested a domestic violence suspect inside the First Congregational Church in East Haven, Connecticut, resigned following the incident, according to a statement from church issued on January 26.
The church issued the statement after the East Haven Police Department released body cam footage that showed the pastor, identified in local reports as Rev. Care Goodstal Spinks, telling the officers that they had no right to arrest the suspect inside the church and demanding that officers release the suspect into her custody.
In a statement on Facebook, The East Haven Police Department said the suspect, 34-year-old Ryan Champlin, assaulted his 59-year-old mother, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries, in a domestic dispute. He fled the residence and police said they received a tip that he was in the Old Stone Church. Police said they entered after speaking with employees and arrested Champlin after finding him hiding in an upstairs office, noting that the building also contained a day care center for children.
The video footage shows the exchange between the pastor and police after Champlin was arrested. The police statement added, “The pastor, who was extremely irate, proceeded to attempt to get in front of the police cruiser when an officer attempted to drive away with Champlin, but was stopped from doing so by another officer on scene.”
In a statement on Facebook, the Old Stone Church said, “The behavior and language on video by the Intentional Interim Pastor, do not necessarily express the opinions of the wider congregation. We have accepted a letter of resignation from the interim pastor -effective immediately.” Credit: East Haven Police Department via Storyful
