The Hub, July 30, 2019
Last week, I was fortunate to complete my Virginia Synod’s continuing education requirement through the International Conference of Police Chaplains’ Annual Training Seminar in Wichita, KS. This conference brought together approximately 500 law enforcement chaplains from across the United States and five other countries.
Chaplaincy programs in the United States must pass the “Lemon Test” established by the Supreme Court (Lemon v. Kurtzman, 1971). Chaplains must have a secular purpose, must not excessively entangle the government with religion, and neither proselytize nor inhibit religion.
In effect, chaplains are to serve everyone. They can provide counseling and referrals. They can serve in support roles for crisis situations. Most often, they tend to serve through a ministry of presence; responding to emotional, mental or spiritual needs as they arise. Chaplains can pray and provide overtly spiritual counseling if requested, but religion is never to be pushed. Most often, chaplains help connect law enforcement, staff and citizens in need to spiritual or psychological resources of their choice – both secular and religious, quite often facilitating previously established relationships.
Duties vary but for the agencies I serve, chaplains often assist officers with death notifications, crime victim support, and homeless outreach. They go on regular “ride-alongs” with police where they get to know officers and their work better, but informal, confidential counseling might also occur. “Ride-alongs” might also help connect them with victims of crime, accidents or deaths. Chaplains also help facilitate community policing efforts, emergency relief, and law enforcement response to major crises. Chaplaincy is only one option to help with the general health, resiliency and retention of officers. They regularly help provide voluntary emotional, mental and spiritual care to law enforcement officers and their families serving alongside employee assistance programs, staff psychiatrists or psychologists, and peer support offerings.
Thus, the courses I took often overlapped with ministry needs of our congregation. This year, I received training in stress reduction, suicide interdiction and support, counseling techniques specific for varied generations, coping with death, building resiliency, funeral protocols, and more. I hope my continuing education helps me serve your needs better but also our neighbors in the greater community. Thanks to you and our council for supporting my attendance. With your support, I am better able to make a loving difference in our faith community and beyond.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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