Ex-sheriff's deputy who admitted to sexually assaulting women while on-duty now a chaplain

A former sheriff’s deputy who admitted to preying on women for his sexual gratification, is now working as a chaplain for a Christian police group.

Former San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Fischer has gone from being sentenced to prison in 2019 — after admitting to assaulting 16 women while on duty — to becoming a chaplain starting this year with the “San Diego Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship” or “CLEF”.

“He’s going to seminary school as well. He’s given his life, and he’s a changed man,” said Jerry Hara, president of CLEF.

The nonprofit provides support to members of the law enforcement community through spiritual outreach.

Fischer received their help while going through his legal troubles involving women he pulled over or who called the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for help from 2015 to 2017.

The former deputy admitted to hugging, kissing, and groping them without their consent and forcing some to perform oral sex.

He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. His crimes cost San Diego County taxpayers millions of dollars in settlements.

“My heart goes out to all the victims,” said Hara who in addition to being president of CLEF, is also a retired San Diego Police Captain of 35 years.

Hara says Fischer’s lived experience that includes troubles with the law are helpful for the job.

“There are cops that are desperately, desperately hurting. They’re in legal trouble, they’ve been arrested,” said Hara. “They can look to him because he has been there. He’s walked the walk, talked to talk, and he is now a reformed man, a completely reformed man, who’s dedicated to just helping save lives of our officers.”

As a retired San Diego County Sheriff’s Department commander of 30 years, Dave Myers understands the need for CLEF. What he can’t understand is Fischer’s hire.

“He used his badge. He used his training, he used his trust, his authority to sexually assault women on duty in uniform, in his marked patrol car. That cannot be trusted again in positions of trust,” Myers said.

CLEF said Fischer is paid by the people he ministers, not by the nonprofit, and that he has been vetted and is only working with the men’s ministry.

“He’s helped a lot of people, both military veterans, and former officers and deputies,” said Hara.

According to the Voice of San Diego, which first reported the story, CLEF had been using Sheriff Kelly Martinez’s picture on their webpage. Her office sent NBC San Diego a statement that reads:

“Richard Fischer was terminated as a Sheriff’s Office employee in February 2019. He was convicted of crimes and behavior that are not acceptable for any member of the Sheriff’s Office.

We cannot speak on behalf of Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship (CLEF) and on their decisions on who they hire. Sheriff Kelly Martinez was made aware of the use of her photo and asked that it be removed because of Mr. Fischer being on the webpage

Sheriff Martinez supports the law enforcement chaplaincy program and appreciates how invaluable a resource they are to our employees and the community.”