Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-16 Index as: Volunteer Police Ch aplaincy Program
Effective Date:
15 Jan 09
Evaluation Coordinator:
Police Chaplaincy Program
Command Advisor
Evaluation Due Date:
15 Jul 09
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
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VOLUNTEER POLICE CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM
The purpose of this order is to set forth objectives, requirements for participation,
training, assignment and dismissal from the program of qualified Volunteer Police
Chaplains and to pr escribe the responsibilities of un its requesting their services.
I. OBJECTIVES
The Volunteer Police Chaplain cy Program is designed to:
A. Provide non-denominational spir itual support to Oakland Police
Department personne l and victims of crimes/t ragedies in Oakland;
B. Support the Department’s peer s upport and critical incident stress
management programs; and
C. Enhance the Department’s 24-hour service to the Oakland community.
II. APPLICATION AND SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
A. The applicant must:
1. Be a minister who is credentia led by a recognized ecclesiastical
body and either ordained or licensed by said body;
2. Be endorsed by their ecclesiastical judicatory for service as a police
chaplain;
3. Be a member in good standing of the Oakland Police and Clergy Together (OPACT), Inc.;
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-16 Effective Date:
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 15 Jan 09
4. Possess a valid unrestric ted California driver’s license or be
eligible to receive one by th e date of appointment; and
5. Possess current individual medica l and auto insurance coverage.
B. Qualified applicants must co mplete and pass the following:
1. Volunteer Police Chaplain Oral Panel interview;
2. Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) interview;
3. Background investigat ion developed for the Volunteer Police
Chaplaincy Program;
4. Ecclesiastical credential and endorsement review; and
5. Oakland Volunteer Police Chaplain Academy.
C. Membership in the International Co nference of Police Chaplains (ICPC)
1. Upon appointment as a Volunteer Police Chaplain, individuals are
required to become full members of the International Conference
of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and pursue basic certification as a police chaplain.
2. Individuals who fail to become fu ll members of the ICPC or allow
their membership to lapse without renewal for more than ninety
(90) days shall be subject to dismissal as a Volunteer Police
Chaplain by the Chief of Police.
3. Volunteer Police Chaplains are requi red to pay all costs associated
with membership in and certification by the ICPC.
4. In extenuating circumstances, waiv ers for membership in ICPC
may be granted by the Chief of Po lice. Volunteer Police Chaplains
must individually request ICPC membership requirement waivers in writing through the Chaplain C oordinator (CC). Waiver requests
shall outline the specific justification as to why the chaplain is
either unable or unwilling to ma intain full ICPC membership.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-16 Effective Date:
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 15 Jan 09
D. Sworn members and employees who ar e qualified as outlined above may
be appointed as Volunteer Police Chap lains at the discretion of the Chief
of Police. While serving as volunteer chaplains and consistent with state
law, members and employees shall not be compensated for their services
as volunteers. Pursuant to state law, sworn member volunteer chaplains
retain their peace officer status.
The appointment of qualified persons to the position of Volunteer Police Chaplain
is at the sole discretion of the Chief of Police.
III. ASSIGNMENT AND TRAINING
A. The Volunteer Police Chaplaincy Progr am shall be administered by the
Chaplain Coordinator (CC), who is a member/employee assigned to this collateral duty by the Chief of Police.
B. The Chief of Police shall also appoint a Polic e Chaplaincy Program
Command Advisor (CA) to advise a nd support the CC and the Chief of
Police on matters concerning the conduct of the Volunteer Police
Chaplaincy Program. Th e CA shall be appointed from among the
members of the Department in the ra nk of Lieutenant of Police or above.
C. The CC shall conduct as n ecessary a Volunteer Po lice Chaplain Academy
consisting of a minimum of 24 hours of law enforcement related training
for all new Volunteer Poli ce Chaplains before they are placed in work
assignments. Individuals who pres ent ICPC Basic Police Chaplain
Certification or higher or who have completed basic m ilitary chaplain
training in the US Armed Forces may be exempt from participating in the Volunteer Police Chaplain Academy. Completion of a Citizen’s Police
Academy program does not meet this initial training requirement.
D. The Volunteer Police Chapla ins shall be required to participate in eight (8)
hours of continuing education per year in order to retain their status as
police chaplains. Training shall be provided by the Department. Training
certified by the ICPC sh all qualify as continuing education for the
purposes of this order. Participa tion in a Citizen’s Police Academy
program may be counted towards continuing education credit. Additional training venues or providers may be approved by the CC.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-16 Effective Date:
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 15 Jan 09
E. Volunteer Police Chaplains shall devote a minimum of sixteen (16) hours