Regina Hosts National Learning Event for Police Chaplains

Posted on October 24, 2011 in Community

Regina SK – Chaplains, who serve with law enforcement agencies across Canada, arrive in Regina today to begin a week of learning and sharing about pastoral care for police service employees and their communities.  The Canadian Police Chaplain Association (CPCA) will welcome more than 70 delegates to Regina Police Service Headquarters, RCMP “Depot” Division and “F” Division for its annual training seminar.

The seminar runs from the evening of Monday, October 24^th to approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28^th.  The delegates will attend sessions on topics ranging from The Role of a Chaplain to Police and Multi-Cultural Affairs to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Participants will also attend daily Morning Devotions, local tours, police ride-alongs and the CPCA Annual General Meeting, followed by a reception and dinner.

The Canadian Police Chaplain Association is part of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, which seeks to develop professional law enforcement chaplains through dynamic education and support.  The philosophy of police chaplaincy reflects the belief that a chaplain working in the police world is there for everyone, not just a particular congregation, faith or service agency.  In times of tragedy, police chaplains bring experience, skills and training that are as specialized as the skill sets of other emergency responders.  Chaplains also understand the difficulties of public bureaucracies, assisting with the “red tape” moments of life for officers and the public alike.  They spend many hours riding as active passengers with officers on patrol duty.  Other functions performed by police chaplains may include:

• Counselling the families of law enforcement officers and other department personnel,
• Visiting sick or injured officers and departmental personnel in homes and hospitals,
• Instructing officers in areas such as Stress Management, Ethics, Family Life, and Pre-retirement classes and courses,
• Serving as part of a department’s Crisis Response Team,
• Assisting at suicide incidents,
• Providing for the spiritual needs of prisoners,
• Offering prayers at special occasions such as recruit graduations and awards ceremonies, and
• Serving on review boards, award boards, and other committees.

To learn more about, and report on, the CPCA 18^th Annual Training Seminar, please contact Chaplain Blair Dixon at 777-6365.