376_-_Chaplains

Policy 376Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentChaplains - 1Chaplains 376.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Mountain View Police Department Chaplain Program is established for the purposes of providing spiritual and emotional support to all members of the Department, their families and members of the public. 376.2 POLICY It is the policy of this department that the Chaplain Program shall be a non-denominational, ecumenical ministry provided by volunteer clergy without financial compensation. 376.3 GOALS Members of the Chaplain Program shall fulfill the program's purpose in the following manner: (a)By serving as a resource for department personnel when dealing with the public in such incidents as accidental deaths, suicides, suicidal subjects, serious accidents, drug and alcohol abuse, and other such situations that may arise. (b)By providing an additional link between the community, other chaplain programs and the Department. (c)By providing counseling, spiritual guidance and insight for department personnel and their families. (d)By being alert to the spiritual and emotional needs of department personnel and their families. (e)By familiarizing themselves with the role of law enforcement in the community. 376.4 REQUIREMENTS Candidates for the Chaplain Program shall meet the following requirements: (a)Must be above reproach, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not be addicted to alcohol or other drugs, not contentious, and free from excessive debt. Must manage their household, family, and personal affairs well. Must have a good reputation with those outside the church. (b)Must be ecclesiastically certified and/or endorsed, ordained, licensed, or commissioned by a recognized religious body. (c)Must successfully complete an appropriate level background investigation. (d)Must have at least five years of successful ministry experience within a recognized church or religious denomination. (e)Membership in good standing with the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC). Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Chaplains Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentChaplains - 2(f)Possess a valid California Drivers License. 376.5 SELECTION PROCESS Chaplain candidates are encouraged to participate in the ride-along program before and during the selection process. Chaplain candidates shall successfully complete the following process prior to deployment as a chaplain: (a)Appropriate written application. (b)Recommendation from their church elders, board, or council. (c)Interview with Chief of Police & Chaplain Supervisor (d)Successfully complete an appropriate level background investigation. (e)Complete an appropriate probationary period as designated by the Chief of Police. 376.6 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The duties of a chaplain include, but are not limited to, the following: (a)Assisting in making notification to families of department members who have been seriously injured or killed. (b)After notification, responding to the hospital or home of the department member. (c)Visiting sick or injured law enforcement personnel in the hospital or at home. (d)Attending and participating, when requested, in funerals of active or retired members of the Department. (e)Assisting sworn personnel in the diffusion of a conflict or incident, when requested. (f)Responding to natural and accidental deaths, suicides and attempted suicides, family disturbances and any other incident that in the judgment of the Watch Commander or supervisor aids in accomplishing the Department's mission. (g)Being on-call and if possible, on-duty during major demonstrations or any public function that requires the presence of a large number of department personnel. (h)Counseling officers and other personnel with personal problems, when requested. (i)Attending department and academy graduations, ceremonies and social events and offering invocations and benedictions, as requested. (j)Being responsible for the organization and development of spiritual organizations in the Department. (k)Responding to all major disasters such as earthquakes, bombings and similar critical incidents. (l)Providing liaison with various religious leaders of the community. Mountain View Police Department Mountain View PD Policy Manual Chaplains Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Mountain View Police DepartmentChaplains - 3(m)Assisting public safety personnel and the community in any other function of the clergy profession, as requested. (n)Participating in in-service training classes. (o)Willing to train to enhance effectiveness. (p)Promptly facilitating requests for representatives or ministers of various denominations. (q)Making referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed or in cases that are beyond the chaplain's ability to assist. Chaplains may not proselytize or attempt to recruit members of the department or the public into a religious affiliation while on-duty unless the receiving person has solicited spiritual guidance or teaching. If there is any question as to the receiving person's intent, chaplains should verify that the person is desirous of spiritual counseling or guidance before engaging in such discussion. Chaplains may not accept gratuities for any service or follow-up contacts that was provided while functioning as a chaplain for the Mountain View Police Department. 376.7 CLERGY-PENITENT CONFIDENTIALITY No person who provides chaplain services to members of the department may work or volunteer for the Mountain View Police Department in any capacity other than that of chaplain. Department chap