Former San Diego Sheriff's Deputy Ricky Fischer, convicted of sexual crimes against more than 20 women, now serves as chaplain for the Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.

Fischer's sexual crimes rocked San Diego County for nearly a decade. More than 20 women accused him of a myriad of abuses over a two-year period, from unwanted groping and kissing to forcing them to perform oral sex on him.

His victims ranged from women pulled over for traffic stops to those who called the sheriff's department for help. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a half dozen felony and misdemeanor charges related to his sexual crimes, leaving San Diego County taxpayers on the hook for nearly $10 million in settlements from civil cases brought against him.

But just two years after the resolution of the final civil case, Fischer has a new gig – chaplain with San Diego-based Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship.

The Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship describes itself as a "non-denominational Christian organization committed to a Biblically oriented outreach to the law enforcement community of San Diego County." The nonprofit provides support and mentorship to police officers throughout the region and throws widely attended prayer breakfasts and even marriage retreats.

The group's leadership includes multiple high-ranking former law enforcement officials, from retired San Diego Police Department Capt. Jerry Hara, who serves as president, to retired lieutenant Misty Cedrun, vice president. The leadership also includes current chaplains for the San Diego Police Department.

Sheriff Kelly Martinez is also prominently featured on one of the organization's webpages. In an email, Lt. David Collins wrote that Martinez was not aware that the organization was using a photo of her on its webpages and had asked it be removed.

Collins wrote that Martinez supports the work of the Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship and "appreciates how invaluable a resource they are to our employees and the community." She could not, however, speak to the organization's hiring decisions.

Regarding Fischer, Collins wrote: "Richard Fischer was terminated as a Sheriff's Office Employee in February 2019. He was convicted of crimes and behavior that is not acceptable for any member of the Sheriff's Office."

Fischer's biography on the organization's leadership webpage touts his background as a "former Sergeant in the Marine Corps with 10 years of honorable service" and a "former law enforcement officer with 10 years of experience." The bio seems to only obliquely mention his prolific history of sexual abuse and assault, spinning it as a redemption narrative.

"After facing some extremely challenging situations," the biography reads, "God called Ricky into ministry where he now serves first responders, their families and others in need with compassion, hope and the truth of the Gospel."

But Hara, the fellowship's president, said Fischer is no stranger to the organization. During his sentencing and through his brief incarceration, chaplains from the fellowship counseled him. In the years since, Fischer stayed connected with the fellowship and, in Hara's telling, has gone through a religious redemption. He's now attending seminary school.

"Did he do something wrong? Absolutely, yes. But we are all sinners. We all deserve god's forgiveness," Hara said. "Who better to minister to cops who are in trouble than a cop who has been in trouble who has now been forgiven by God?"

Prior to bringing him on as a chaplain, Hara said he and other leaders within the fellowship "vetted him" and that it was clear to them he was a changed man. As a former detective sergeant, he added, you can "smell if something is awry."

"I believe if God said 'Hey, your sin is forgiven,' who am I to contradict God?" Hara said. "He has integrity and high morals and he's ministering to officers in crisis."

The trust they've placed in him isn't without qualifications. Hara said the trust is conditional, though he did not elaborate.