Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
POLICE CHAPLAIN PROGRAM
GENERAL ORDER: 02.05 CREATED: March 17, 2003 ISSUE DATE: June 11, 2023
CALEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: June 11, 2023
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1, 2022 .
02.05 .0 PURPOSE AND MISSION
The purpose of this general order is to establish regulations and procedures for a volunteer
Police Chaplain Program.
The Mission of the Police Chaplain Program is to provide a non-denominational “ministry
of presence” to coworkers, their immediate family members , and the community.
02.05 .1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to provide its coworkers with a
volunteer Police Chaplain Program. The chaplain / coworker relationship may exist at the
discretion of the individual coworker on a voluntary or as -needed basis. A successful police
chaplain will get to know and build individual and group coworker relationships by
attending roll calls, participating in ride-alongs, and being involved in other types of
department activities. The police chaplain will hold in -house office hours from time to time
and be available to meet with coworkers away from city facilities if requested to do so.
02.05 .2 DEFINITIONS
A. POLICE CHAPLAIN
A police chaplain is a clergy person with a passionate interest in, and specialized
training for, supporting those who work in the field of law enforcement. This support is
offered to all coworkers regardless of one’s religion, race, gender, or sexual orienta tion.
It is offered without cost or proselytizing. The police chaplain is led in his or her own
faith to be available and ready to serve all those in need. A police chaplain ministry
provides a source of emotional and spiritual support to department cowork ers, their
immediate family members, and the community. The police c haplain participates in the
workplace of department coworkers and actively listens with empathy and experience,
advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and danger, and offering assistance when
appropriate or requested.
02.05 .3 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
A. APPOIN TMENT
1. Police chaplains are appointed by and shall serve at the discretion of the Chief of
Police .
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2. Organizationally, the Police Chaplain Program is a special unit that resides in the
Office of the Chief of Police.
3. Pastors or clergy wishing to serve as a police chaplain shall submit a letter of
interest and resume to the Chief of Police, and be able to articulate that he/she
meets the minimum requirements as outlined in this policy. The Chief of Police
will review application materials and facilitate an appointment process that will
include at minimum a face to face interview.
4. Once appointed, chaplai ns shall serve in a probationary status for the first 6 -
months. This time period will allow the chaplain to get to know coworkers and
vice versa. Upon conclusion of the 6 -month period, the Chief of Police shall make
a determination to appoint the chaplain indefinitely. Such decision shall be made
after consultation with the chaplain, Program Coordinator, and feedback received
from other department coworkers.
5. Dismissal of a chaplain may occur due to a chaplain’s sustained failure to abide
by established policies and procedures, failure to honor a coworker’s privacy, or
failure to practice professional ethical standards.
B. PROGRAM COORDINATOR
1. The Police Chaplain Program shall be administered by a Program Coordinator
assigned by the Chief of Police. The Program Coordinator shall serve as a liaison
between the department and police chaplains.
2. The Program Coordinator shall maintain regular commu nications with police
chaplains, ensuring that chaplains volunteer their time and provide a level of service
and presence consistent with the stated mission of the program.
3. The Program Coordinator shall provide a quarterly report to the Chief of Police th at
outlines the number of hours volunteered by a chaplain and a short description of
the types of duties performed (i.e., 2 hours roll calls; 6 hours ride -alongs; 1 hour
invocation/benediction at retirement ceremony).
4. The Program Coordinator shall eva luate the Police C haplain Program on an ongoing
basis and provide counsel to the Chief of Police as far as program effectiveness is
concerned . Program evaluation shall be based upon personal interactions and
observations, as well as feedback from coworkers .
5. The Program Coordinator shall consider inviting police chaplains to various
department activities and events where the presence of a chaplain will be of benefit
to coworkers, the chaplain, and the program itself.
6. The Program Coordinator shall perfor m other duties on behalf of the police chaplain
program as directed by the Chief of Police.
C. CHAPLAIN REQUIREMENTS
1. Chaplains shall be ordained or licensed by a duly recognized religious body; and
shall be recognized by their faith community as being equipped for chaplaincy
service. A minimum of three (3) years of service in pastoral ministry is required.
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2. Chaplains shall be of good moral character and reputation; and, shall submit to and
pass a background investigation as directed by the Chief of Poli