Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE ACCREDITATION
Chaplain Program N/A
PRIOR REVISIONS
PROPONENT UNIT 01/ 03/18
Chaplain Unit
ATTACHMENT: 0
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
36.2 01/03/2018 01/27/2022 3
I. PURPOSE: This Order establishes guidelines for the administration of the chaplain program.
II. POLICY: The Chaplain Program is designed to provide emotional, moral and spiritual support
and guidance to all Department members who request it. The goal of this program is to provide
a trusted individual to minister to Department members and their families.
III. PROCEDURE:
A. General Principles:
1. The Chief of Police shall appoint all chaplains.
2. The Chief of Police, or designee, may terminate chaplain services at any time
if their involvement in the program is not in the best interest of the Department.
3. Any information received by a chaplain while in the performance of their official
duties as chaplain shall remain in the strictest confidence
B. Qualifications: To be considered for a position of chaplain, a person shall be an
ordained or licensed member of the clergy, and shall:
1. Maintain high spiritual and moral standards.
2. Possess a caring and understanding attitude toward all people.
3. Be willing and available to respond to any situation where the presence of a
chaplain is requested.
4. Never have been convicted of a criminal offense or offenses involving moral
turpitude.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
C. Community Volunteer Chaplains:
1. Prospective community volunteers for the Chaplain Program shall submit to an
agency background investigation including, but not limited to fingerprinting,
driver’s license check, and an FCIC/NCIC check.
2. Community volunteer chaplains shall not receive any salary or benefits,
3. Community volunteer chaplains shall be issued a photographic identification
card that shall be displayed only while performing duties as a chaplain.
4. Community volunteer chaplains should participate in the Department’s Patrol
Ride-Along Program and periodically attend Departmental briefing sessions to
familiarize themselves with agency operations.
D. Duties: Chaplain Duties shall include:
1. Assisting in notifying families of Department members who are severely
injured or killed.
2. Visiting severely ill or injured Department members.
3. Attend and/or participating in funerals of active and retired members of the
Department and their immediate families.
4. Providing counseling for members upon their request.
5. Attending Department official and social events, giving invocations and
benedictions as requested.
6. Promoting, encouraging and aiding spiritual activities and functions among
Department members.
7. Attending periodic meetings with all Department chaplains.
8. Participating with the CISM Team and attending training as suggested by the
CISM Coordinator.
E. Senior Chaplain: The Chief of Police shall designate a senior chaplain. The senior
chaplain shall be responsible to the personnel bureau commander for the direct
administration and management of the Chaplain Program.
F. Notifications:
1. The senior chaplain, or designee, shall be notified by the appropriate
supervisory personnel in the event of any of the following situations:
i. Death or severe injury to any Department member, while on or off duty.
ii. Unexpected death or severe injury to any immediate family member of
Department members.
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iii. Any officer-involved shooting incident regardless of injury to an officer,
suspect, or civilian.
iv. Any action taken by a police officer resulting in death or severe injury
to another person.
v. Any other situation deemed necessary by the appropriate supervisory
personnel.
2. All members of the Department are also authorized to make direct contact with
chaplains for personal or Department related purposes.
__________________________
By Order of
Signed Original on file in the
Accreditation Section
__________________________
Lonnie Scott Sr.
Acting Chief of Police
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