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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: August 8, 2014  Amends - G.O. 19.1.2 (January 21, 2011) Number: 19.1.2 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: February Reviewing Authority: SSD / Community Relations Subject: Law Enforcement Chaplain Program This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide for an ecumenically diverse group of chaplains who volunteer their time to support law enforcement functions and assist agency employees and family members who are seeking compassionate support or pastoral guidance. 2. Policy Law enforcement work may result in substantial stress and strain upon deputies and their family members, whose need s may be better met by clergy familiar with the issues and difficulties unique to law enforcement. The Law Enforcement Chaplain Program will provide support services and counseling of a nondenominational nature to agency employees and their families who r equest such consideration. Agency employees and their families may also request that a law enforcement chaplain associated with a particular religion provide spiritual guidance that specifically reflects that faith. Law Enforcement Chaplains may particip ate in appropriate agency ceremonies and assist with death notifications as needed. 3. Definitions A. Associate Chaplain – a person training to be a Field Chaplain. B. Chaplain Services Liaison – Acts as a liaison between members of the program and the agency. C. Field Chaplain – a person who has an ecclesiastical certification, or is ordained or licensed by a denomination, and who has completed the training required by the agency. D. Honorary Chaplain – One appointed by the Sheriff as he deems necessary. All recommendations for Honorary Chaplains will be forwarded to the Sheriff via the Chaplain Liaison and may be ministers and/or lay people who wish to promote and support the spiritual welfare of the law enforcement community. 19.1.2, Page 2 of 6 E. Law Enforcement Chaplain Liaison T raining Coordinator – Coordinates orderly dissemination of information concerning in -service and required training courses for all chaplains. F. Squad Chaplain Coordinator – The general supervisor of the chaplains in their assigned squads . 4. Procedures A. Chaplain Services Liaison The Sheriff shall appoint an agency member to act as " Chaplain Services Liaison ". The duties of the Chaplain Services Section Commander include the following: 1. Evaluate potential candidates and submit names of recommended cand idates to the Sheriff for selection i n conjunction with the Assistant Chaplain Liaison . 2. Responsible for recommending promotions to Field Chaplain. The Sheriff has exclusive authority to make any such promotions. 3. Confirm all program activities are appropriately documented. 4. Strictly adhere to all confidentiality provisions. 5. Confirm the return of all agency -issued credentials and equipment when a clergy member resigns or is terminated from the Law Enforcement Chaplain Program. 6. Confirm strict compliance with the mandates of Article I, Section 3, of the Florida Constitution, including, "No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any churc h, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution". 7. Obtain statistical data from all law enforcement chaplains regarding services rendered. 8. Document all program activities. 9. In all other respects, confirm proper administrati on of the program. B. Application Applicants interested in becoming a law enforcement chaplain shall apply online via www.ocso.com . C. Eligibility Requirements Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements: 1. Licensed or ordained by a rel igious body that has been granted tax -exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. 19.1.2, Page 3 of 6 2. Recommendation from the appropriate authorities of the religious body they are associated with. 3. Minimum of five years experience in the ministry. 4. Citizen or le gal resident of the United States. 5. Individuals with criminal records, arrest history or history of possession, cultivation, sale or distribution, or use of controlled substances, may be excluded from consideration. D. Selection Process 1. Candidates must successfully complete the following to be considered for selection: a. Truth verification examination and background check conducted by the HRD. b. Psychological examination. c. Interview by the Chaplain Services Liaison and Chaplain Liaison Training Coordinator. d. Once HRD completes their process, the chaplain candidate file will be forwarded to the Sheriff or designee for review and approval. This includes Associate and Honorary Chaplains. e. Once approved, all chaplain candidates enter the program as Associate Chaplains unless they are to be classified as an Honorary Chaplain. 2. Other processes as provided for under Chaplain Program Special Order. E. Training 1. Field and associate chaplains shall meet training standards established by the agenc y. This will include, but is not limited to, mandatory attendance at a minimum of one three hour training session per quarter. 2. Law enforcement chaplains shall complete an orientation of agency facilities, functions and organizational structure, and have a thorough familiarization with agency policy as it relates to the function of the chaplains program. NOTE: The Chaplain Liaison Training Coordinator