Chaplain & Victim Advocate (My other job)

When you hear the term ‘chaplain’ what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s depictions in media. Like Father Mulcahy in MASH. I’ve been a chaplain for area police departments for over two decades and here is what I have learned. First I feel great gratitude for the privilege of the role and the amazing experiences I have had with police officers, firefighters and first responders. But again, what is it? The long tradition of the chaplain is one who provides emotional, spiritual, and moral support to police and fire department agencies, their families, and the affected community. They also help with crisis intervention and counseling. In our society with our spiritual diversity many agencies call upon clergy of different traditions to step in when needed.

Father Mulcahy MASH

But ‘spiritual guidance’ and support is just one part of the role. And if a family asks me to pray, you bet I will. For me perhaps a better term is ‘victim advocate’ because this is the essential role of the person serving as a ‘chaplain’. The focus is separate from the duties of the officers. It is about comforting and helping families understand the crises of stress and trauma they are experiencing inside themselves. Essentially it is a role embracing the psycho social challenges that obviously include the spiritual dimension for the individuals. And the individuals include not only the agency staff but the victims they encounter in all their work situations. 

There is extensive and rich research on the stress challenges of police profession. And being trained and dedicated to my principle professional interest in mental health I have been most devoted to that area of focus than the clergy or ‘religious’ part of chaplaincy. I learned from the research of others, especially including the work of Dr. Kevin Gilmartin, retired veteran police officer and  psychologist. His book ‘Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement’ was clarifying and career changing for me in my role. Among his insights is describing the real nature of police stress. And he does so by describing the job specific challenge of the vigilance necessary for doing the police job. In clarifying the rhythm of ‘vigilance’ up through ‘hyper vigilance’, he lays out the job challenge of managing this high stress rhythm. I recommend this book to chaplains to assist their understanding of the formal role police are required to follow. And here is where the chaplain serves officers by understanding the traumas they face themselves and those they serve every day. 

Next entry I will share a specific incident that was defining for me and my role on the scene of a devastating crisis for police and victims.