Law enforcement chaplains give support
Recently, it was my privilege to attend the 44th annual ATS (Annual Training Session) meeting of the International Conference of police Chaplains (ICPC) in Norfolk, Va. These are very expensive and are usually located on one of the coasts of our country, thereby making it difficult to attend. However, by the generosity of the Motorola Foundation and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, I was able to manage it this year and to associate with the big names in law enforcement chaplaincy. There were over 300 outstanding chaplains at this conference from the United States and 10 other countries. All of the basic courses in ICPC required for full membership were taught plus dozens of enriched or advanced courses. Since I am at the Master level with ICPC, it was my privilege to take 12 of the enriched courses. Some of those included the Red Cross, chaplains and mass civil disturbances, stalking and digital violence, policy and legal considerations, and several courses on cyber crime. Yes, there are a lot of things to be learned as a chaplain.
My training with the Red Cross enabled me to qualify as a spiritual care person (their name for chaplains) as a first responder during disasters, and I applied (and was accepted) in order to do my part in helping people in need during times of crisis. There were chaplains present at this conference from the Red Cross, the FBI, the CIA, and even the Secret Service. I learned that the Secret Service has just unanimously authorized enlisting 150 volunteer chaplains for service around the world. It was my privilege to become acquainted with the Secret Service Liaison Chaplain who was only appointed to his position three days before the convention. All of these groups recognize the value of ICPC and require their chaplains to take its training. So do many of the people involved in legal issues and the Department of Standards for Law Enforcement personnel in Little Rock, Ark.
ICPC always conducts a Memorial Service at these national events for the law enforcement officers who have died during the past year in the line-of-duty. It is a very impressive and emotional service, and this year recognized 156 men and women from the United States plus almost 100 more from 10 participating countries who gave the supreme sacrifice to uphold the law and to promote peace. In addition, ICPC recognized 28 K-9 dogs who also died in the line-of-duty this past year. It also recognized 14 chaplains who died since the last ATS meeting.
When I first became a law enforcement chaplain some 24 years ago, things were a lot different. It was very safe to ride with an officer and no one around me was much worried about being shot at or injured in the line-of-duty. Such is not the case today. Chaplains for the Sheriff’s Office are now required to wear body armor and to carefully follow the law enforcement officers’ instructions in order to avoid coming into contact with danger. When I am traveling these days, I always make it a point to visit with any law enforcement personnel I meet and to encourage them in their work. They always appreciate my encouragement and usually are willing to share some of their fears and anxieties about being a law enforcement officer. I have yet to encounter a single law enforcement officer who felt secure and safe about his or her job. They may not admit it, but it is there anyway.
Law enforcement chaplains are there to support the law enforcement community, which includes everyone connected with law enforcement in police departments, sheriff offices, and other groups all across the United States and the world. They are there to provide a spiritual presence and encouragement to those people who put their lives on the line for you and me, too often with insignificant pay and too much risk. I pray for these men and women every day.