Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 312 – Chaplain Program
Page 1 of 5 TITLE: CHAPLAIN PROGRAM 312
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 10/31/2025 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION CAPTAIN
CFA STANDARDS: 13.01M
312.01 Qualifications 312.07 Confidentiality
312.02 Duties 321.08 Training
312.03 Call-Out Procedures 321.09 Restrictions
312.04 Death Notifications 321.10 Liability Coverage
312.05 Authority and Access 321.1 1 Workman’s Compensation
312.06 Identification and Uniforms
Policy: The Kissimmee Police Department shall utilize the Department Chaplains for emotional,
moral and spiritual support to department employees, their families, and victimized individuals of
the community, when needed.
312.01 Qualifications: An individual applying to be part of the Kissimmee Police Department
Chaplain program shall follow the same requirements of a volunteer in General Order 311 –
Voluntee r Program . They shall also have the following qualifications:
a. Be ordained by a recognized religious body or licensed clergy in good standing;
b. Have five (5) years of experience as a pastor;
c. Be willing and available to respond to any situation where the presence of a Chaplain is
requested; and
d. Have no involvement in any other profession / business which could generate a conflict of
interest.
312.02 Duties: [CFA 13.01M] Chaplain duties shall include:
a. Assisting in notifying families of Department members who are severely injured or killed ;
b. Visiting severely ill or injured Department members ;
c. Following up with Department members who suffer a personal tragedy (i.e. loss of a loved
one);
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 312 – Chaplain Program
Page 2 of 5
d. Attending and/or participating in funerals of active and retired Department members and
their immediate families ;
e. Providing guidance, counseling, and support for Department members upon their request ;
f. Attending official and social Department events, givi ng invocations and benedictions as
requested ;
g. Promoting, encouraging and aiding spiritual activities and functions among Department
members ;
h. Assisting the Department in community relations efforts by providing representation to
various civic groups and r eligious leaders in the community as requested or approved by
the Chief of Police or designee;
i. Periodically attending briefings and participating in the Department’s Ride -Along Program
to become familiar with agency operations ; and
j. Attending quarterly me etings with all Department Chaplains.
312.03 Call-Out Procedures: Chaplain services will be available twenty -four (24) hours a day
for call -out and will provide acceptable forms of contact to ensure notification in the event of an
emergency. Any notification or call -out of the Chaplain will require notification through the shift
Watch Commander or a Command Staff member.
Call-out may be authorized for incidents and events including, but not limited to:
a. Death or severe injury to any Department member, while on or off duty;
b. Unexpected death or severe injury to any immediate family member of Department
members;
c. Officer involved shootings;
d. Serious injury or illness to a Department member or their immediate family;
e. Any traumatic crim e scene, disaster or mass casualty incident;
f. Any matter pertaining to the moral, spiritual or religious welfare of Department personnel
or a citizen where religious guidance is needed to address a crisis situation;
g. Any unique circumstance or event that i ndicates the need for services provided by the
Chaplain; and
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 312 – Chaplain Program
Page 3 of 5 h. Any other situation deemed necessary by the shift Watch Commander or a Command Staff
member.
312.04 Death Notifications: If a Chaplain is requested to provide a death notification the
following guidelines shall be followed :
a. Obtain complete information on the identity of the deceased;
b. If the next of kin is in Osceola County or an adjoining county, the Chaplain shall attempt
to make the death notification in -person (death notifications shall not be made via
telephone);
c. Chaplains shall make arrangements with the on -duty officer to accompany them to the
family’s location;
d. Chaplains shall speak only to an adult with the capacity to understand this type of message;
e. Chaplains shall offer the next of kin assistance in contacting their pastors and/or other
family members;
f. Chaplains shall attempt to locate a person to stay with the next of kin after the death
notification has been delivered ;
g. If the person exhibits any me dical distress, Chaplains shall ask the accompanying officer
to call for emergency medical service (EMS) personnel or to call 911; and
h. If the next of kin is in a distant county or state, the following procedure should be
attempted:
1. Request Communications contact the law enforcement agency in that geographic
location and attempt to relay the information to that agency’s Chaplain;
2. Request that agency’s Chaplain make contact with the family to deliver the death
notification; and
3. If a Chaplain is not available, notify the Watch Commander or equivalent for that
agency.
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