Police Chaplains: A Source of Comfort, Guidance, and Support
Police chaplains serve in a variety of ways, both to police officers directly and to the community. Oftentimes, police chaplains take part in death notifications, respond to crisis situations, and counsel police officers in their times of need.
The primary role of the police chaplain is to stand with law enforcement in the heat of a crisis, providing assistance and helping to maintain emotional balance during high-stress events. However, police chaplains are also available to law enforcement for guidance and support at all times, providing them with answers to spiritual questions and helping them to find personal balance when the nature of the job creates internal conflict.
If you are struggling with emotional or spiritual issues, a police chaplain can help you to work through difficulties and create a plan for moving forward after a crisis.
Nonjudgmental Support
Police officers face unique situations on the job that are often difficult to process. Being witness to traumatic events, from car accidents to domestic violence to murders, can take a toll on a person, regardless of one’s level of professionalism.
In order for police officers to maintain emotional balance and overall wellness, it’s important that they have a space to talk about these issues. Oftentimes, police chaplains give police officers that space to communicate about what they’ve seen and experienced.
Whereas some police officers may be resistant to admitting they need help, and may never ask for help from an outside source, such as a general therapist, police chaplains know the distinctive demands of the job and are in a position to offer greater understanding. As a result, police officers often feel more comfortable sharing their personal thoughts and feelings in this arena. Whereas a member of the general public may not understand where they are coming from, it’s likely that police chaplains will.
Police chaplains offer nonjudgmental, and often nondenominational, support and guidance to those in need. Most often, that support is needed during a time of crisis; however, police officers are welcome to turn to their police chaplains at any point — whether the source of distress is on or off the job.
Finding Balance
The demands on a police officer can be great, and oftentimes, the daily dedication and hard work go underappreciated. With night shifts and crisis situations, a regular and consistent sleep schedule can be hard to come by. Eating on the go often results in poor nutritional options. And demanding schedules may result in missing family functions or finding little personal time.
As with many careers, but particularly for police officers, finding a sense of life balance is essential. Life can’t always be about the job all the time. Part of finding that life balance is processing experiences on the job so officers can get a break from it mentally and emotionally when not working. Police chaplains can help officers to not only process those experiences and feelings but also to find a place of greater life balance that promotes overall wellness.
Police chaplains are different than other spiritual leaders in that they don’t preach. They aren’t there to force their religious beliefs on anyone; they are simply available to offer guidance and support — sometimes spiritual — to those in need.
If you are struggling emotionally or spiritually, you owe it to yourself, your coworkers, your family, and your community to take steps to find balance in your life. The more grounded you are, the better able you will be to make positive choices on the job.
This article was originally published by James E. Morrison, retired Chicago Police Officer and Employee Assistance Program Treatment Consultant for Law Enforcement at American Addiction Centers, on LinkedIn.
