Chaplaincy Service
Our Volunteer Police Chaplains are here to support all Officers, Staff, Volunteers and also their families irrespective of their faith or belief or if someone is of no faith. Chaplains are drawn from different faith communities and are therefore people of faith, this informs what they do. Their primary concern is the care for the individual, therefore matters of faith will be treated with sensitivity and respect.
We recognise that working in today’s Police service is ever more challenging, often daunting and dangerous. There is a greater awareness of the effects this kind of work can have, so more than ever individuals may need support and help to put things into perspective.
Chaplains fulfil a unique role and seek to support staff in all aspects of their duties and at times of need. They do this by building relationships, spending time with Officers and Staff, providing a listening ear, responding to critical incidents, attending meetings and training events.
All our Chaplains are members of Police Chaplaincy UK, for more information please visit Police Chaplaincy UK - https://www.policechaplaincy.uk/
If you would like to speak to a Chaplain please contact Dudley Martin (Lead Chaplain) 07711 038873 or email [email protected].
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Police Chaplain please click here for more information or contact Dudley Martin.
About our Police Chaplains
Our Chaplains are all Police Support Volunteers. The team is made up of a Lead, Deputy Lead and a network of Chaplains attached to local departments, stations or districts. They are also available for deployment force-wide. Chaplains are drawn from different faith communities and are therefore people of faith, this informs what they do. They will have experience in leadership and possess extraordinary pastoral skills.
Why do we have Police Chaplains?
It is well recognised that Police Officers and Staff spend their lives dealing with complicated, difficult and at times, distressing situations. Working in today’s police service is ever more challenging, often daunting and sometimes dangerous. There is now a greater awareness of the effects on individuals of prolonged exposure to stressful and dangerous situations. More than ever, individuals may need some help to put things in perspective.
Who do Chaplains Support?
They have a passion to provide support to ALL Officers, Staff, Volunteers and their families irrespective of their faith or belief. They are very aware that officers and staff may be of a different faith or have no faith. The Chaplain’s prime concern will be the care and support of the individual, therefore, matters of faith will be treated with sensitivity and respect. Chaplains will have attended the nationally recognised induction course and be a member of the national association ‘Police Chaplaincy UK’ (PCUK).
What is the role of the Chaplain?
- To support and encourage all staff and their families.
- To become a familiar friend within the organisation.
- To value each individual member of the service.
- To assist staff to function in their role.
- To respect and reflect the diversity of belief within the service and wider community.
- To be available to anyone who needs to talk in confidence.
- To maintain an awareness of the stresses and strains of police service life.
- To visit, where appropriate, people at home, in hospital or at any other appropriate location.
- Leading formal religious services as required by the organisation or by individuals.
How will Chaplains do this?
Our Chaplains fulfil a unique role and will seek to support staff in all aspects of their duties and at times of need.
In order to do this your local Chaplain will:
- Seek to build relationships based on friendship and trust through visiting police stations
- Accompany staff both out on patrol and in their other working environment as a way of building relationships and developing understanding.
- Provide a listening ear and make themselves available for private conversation, either during or outside duty time and in a suitable environment.
- Respond, upon request, to major and critical incidents.
- Attend meetings, training and briefings as appropriate.
What about confidentiality?
Given the sensitive nature of police work, Chaplains will respect confidentiality of any information that may come to their notice during the course of their work. They seek to support, comfort and advise without prejudice or personal agenda and in complete confidence having regard to safeguarding.