Policy Text
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Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Chaplaincy Program - 1 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Policy Manual
Chaplaincy Program
252.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff recognizes the value of providing resources, including
chaplaincy for employees, their family members, and the community to support them in managing
both professional crises and other challenges. The Chaplaincy Program will offer support with
appropriate assistance, advice, comfort, and referrals whenever such services are requested. This
policy establishes an in -house Chaplaincy Program designed to supplement the Peer Support
and Wellness Programs.
252.1.1 DEFINITION
The chaplains are a component of the Sheriff's Office, under the Peer Support Team. Chaplains
shall serve as a non-law enforcement resource to support employees, their immediate family, and
community members on matters regarding their well-being. Chaplains are skilled and dedicated
to ministering, regardless of their religious denomination, and always respecting the beliefs of
those whom they serve.
252.2 MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Sheriff's Office Chaplaincy Program is to provide all sworn and professional
employees in the agency, their immediate family, and community members support while
recognizing the cultural and religious diversity within Santa Clara County.
252.3 PROCEDURE
During times of professional or personal challenge or crisis, an employee may be reluctant to seek
professional help and may be more comfortable talking to a chaplain. Therefore, the department
will organize and maintain a chaplaincy program to help fellow employees and their immediate
family members through times of need or desired guidance. An employee's participation in the
program is strictly voluntary.
Chaplains will not be considered professional counselors and will not replace available
professional counseling or therapy services. The role of the chaplain is to listen, assist, encourage,
and provide spiritual guidance. The chaplain may also provide referrals for professional services
or resources as needed.
Chaplains may aid all employees and their immediate family members, regardless of religious
affiliation or belief. If specifically requested, chaplains may provide spiritual guidance that reflects
a specific religious orientation. Chaplains shall not disparage other religions, use public resources
to aid any church, sect, religious denomination, or sectarian institution, or reference their religious
beliefs upon others unless specifically asked by an individual.
Chaplains will be available to:
(a) Provide intervention for sworn and professional staff and their immediate family
members during times of need or crisis. Policy
252
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Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Policy Manual
Chaplaincy Program
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Sheriff Chaplaincy Program - 2
(b) Assist, when appropriate, with notifications of serious injury or death, as directed by
an Assistant Sheriff, the Undersheriff, or Sheriff.
1. In the event of a department member's serious illness, injury, or death, the
chaplain will offer support to the member's family. If appropriate, the chaplain
will provide assistance at hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. The chaplain
may offer support in matters related to funerals.
2. Chaplains will not infringe upon the privacy of department employees and
their families, nor will they attempt to replace the ministers or other supportive
persons, including those with religious affiliations, requested by department
employees and/or their families to assist.
(c) Visit sick or injured employees, as requested.
(d) Participate in programs involving the Peer Support Team and Wellness Program.
(e) Attend critical incident stress debriefings.
(f) Respond to incidents as requested by the Peer Support Team Lead.
(g) Chaplains will not self-deploy, interject, or interrupt an active scene unless specifically
requested to do so by the Peer Support Team Lead. Any Sheriff's Office personnel
can reach out to the Peer Support Team to request a chaplain to respond to a scene. A
chaplain who comes across an incident and wishes to offer their services will contact
the Peer Support Team Lead and wait for authorization.
(h) Provide information on other resources, including those available through the
Employee Assistance Program/Concern and Peer Support.
252.4 ACCESSING CHAPLAINCY SUPPORT
The chaplain is available to all employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For an individual employee or immediate family member seeking support from the chaplain, they
can reach the chaplain directly via phone or email by contacting the Peer Support Team Lead.
To request a chaplain to respond to an incident, any sworn or professional employee of the
Sheriff's Office can reach