Chaplain Steven Davis, Ph.D.

A Chaplains program is a resource provided by the Agency to make a pool of people available who are familiar with the work of law enforcement and the tensions faced by personnel. And, who also have an adequate background check and security clearance that personnel can talk freely without violating the responsibility of confidentiality. Both the State and Federal government recognize the common law privilege in a penitent/clergy relationship.

What’s that mean? How’s a Chaplain different than going to a mental health counselor or other psychiatrist? Conversations with a counselor are “confidential.” Those in the mental health field are REQUIRED to take and keep notes on their sessions with clients. Conversations with Chaplains are strictly “privileged,” with the privilege being on the part of the individual speaking with the Chaplain. The Chaplain does NOT make notes, and cannot divulge the contents of conversations with those who come to him/her. That is state law.

The agency Chaplain is someone who personnel can come to on a privileged basis, particularly during the time frame of critical incidents. Nationwide, more and more agencies are making Chaplains part of the initial response team, evidence gathering teams and post critical incident teams. The role of the Chaplain on these teams is to provide a ministry of “presence;” a shoulder of support for employees, and a link to a world away from the critical incident.

The Chaplain’s program provides the spiritual support for employees of the agency. With law enforcement personnel as a whole being a group of highly motivated strong minded people, spiritual support becomes necessary. Privileged communication and confidentiality is absolute.

For personnel to be able to go to a Chaplain and have no fear of being turned in, is something that no one but a Chaplain can offer. Again, the privilege is to the individual, not to the chaplain. Personnel are granted the privilege of being able to speak openly in total confidence.

One fact about Critical Incident Response is that no matter how experienced an officer is, he or she never knows when or how an incident might be “too much.” It’s impossible to know which piece of evidence will “get to” any of an agency’s personnel. An officer can have years of experience and get better and better at it, then a particular incident will get to him or her, and a breaking point is reached. That’s a reason for the presence and availability of the Chaplain. What is the goal of a chaplain at routine ERT call out? To “be there” for the team, get them water, serve them, be a stabilizing presence, and maybe give each member a card with the Chaplain's phone number on it - and a "give me a call in a few days."

Another time that the presence of a Chaplain is necessary is after a line of duty weapons discharge. Agencies spend thousands of dollars and more thousands of rounds of ammunition training their people how to shoot efficiently and accurately and how to kill. They provide weeks of very expensive firearms training, hoping it will never have to be used. But few agencies spend even an hour on what the officers will go through if they DO have to shoot in the line of duty. Weapons handling is more than just training in how paper is perforated from 50 yards away. After a line-of-duty weapons discharge, very few personnel are ready to cope internally with having their weapon taken away, having the news in the paper, the neighbors knowing they are weaponless until the internal investigation is completed. During this time, the Chaplain is a service of the Agency not only to the officer, but also to his or her spouse and family - to help maintain emotional and spiritual equilibrium.

Chaplains aren’t “reverends playing policemen.” They aren’t here spreading their religion. They aren’t a replacement of EAP counselors or psychiatrists. And, they are not on payroll, and do not charge the Agency for any of their services. They offer their training (several of our CCSO Chaplains have 6 or more years of college and grad school, plus other trainings and certifications), their time, their expertise and their ears - day or night, just in case our personnel or their families have a need.