What is a Police Chaplain?
A law enforcement chaplain is a clergy person appointed by the Chief of Police as a volunteer to provide spiritual guidance, pastoral counseling, and comfort in times of crisis. Chaplains have a passionate interest in and specialized training for pastoral care in the world of law enforcement. This pastoral care is offered to all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion. The chaplain’s ministry provides a source of strength to police personnel, their families, and the community, advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and crisis, and offering assistance when appropriate or requested.
The duties of a police chaplain include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assisting in making notifications to families of department members who have been seriously injured or killed
- Visiting sick or injured law enforcement personnel in the hospital or home
- Attending and participating in funerals of active or retired members of the department
- Assisting personnel in Critical Incident Stress Management debriefs
- Responding to natural, accidental deaths, suicides, attempted suicides, family disturbances, critical incidents and any other incidences where their presence is appropriate or requested
- Counseling Officers and other personnel with personal problems, when requested