A father asks his teenage son to get him a box of shells for his AK 47 rifle, then goes in the back yard and shoots himself to death. His children, 17, 13 and 8 are in the house. The deputies arrive. They call for a chaplain. The mother comes home from shopping and three chaplains are there caring for her children, and then caring for her. Later, they conduct the funeral and then keep returning for months to support the family through their distress.

An officer has to make a deadly force decision and shoots a suspect to death. Although fully justified, the officer has deep feelings. He shares his feelings with the chaplain he has come to know during ride-along. The chaplain merely listens. It is a healing experience.

A young man knifes to death an employee of a trophy store in the downtown area. The other employees are shocked and horrified by the bloody killing of their friend. A chaplain is called to help the coroner notify the victim's mother and to help her deal with grief. Meanwhile, the business owner asks for chaplains to give grief counseling to his eight employees. Two employees are reluctant to return to work where the murder took place. Chaplains are there when the employees return to work and help to transform the crime scene into a shrine to the memory of their friend. The employees are able to return to work.

All of these incidents, plus four hundred others involving Chaplains, have taken place in Sonoma County, California during.

The word “love” does not surface very much in law enforcement circles. In this business we deal so much with lies, deception and pain that the concept of love tends to be perceived by many as either a weakness or inappropriate risk taking when at work; and something special to be reserved for at home with our families. Yet all of the examples previously described, center on the presence of love, compassion and caring. While we in law enforcement are strong in our ability to empathize with victims, to care and to show compassion, we struggle with taking that compassion to a level that truly facilitates the healing process. The missing ingredient is love, combined with sufficient time to let it work.

Law enforcement has its share of participants with strong religious beliefs. Some wear them quite well on their shirtsleeves so that others might know. Every department has its cliques. And these cliques tend to contribute towards fragmenting organizations. Their message, unintended or otherwise, is usually perceived by the non-member as “I have something that you don’t have.” Or, that you must abide by certain norms to be a member. In either case, it separates. A good chaplains program focuses on bringing together, not dividing. To accomplish this it must make every effort to be all things to all people. Religion, by its very nature separates people based upon beliefs. Love, compassion and caring regardless of differences in religious beliefs do just the opposite. They are universal conveners. This is what the Chaplains Program in Sonoma County, California is about.

How many times are peace officers stressed by having to do their work with people who have just been shattered by tragedy, and then abruptly leave to get on to the next call for help. Many peace officers carry emotional scars from such moments. How nice it is in Sonoma County to be able to introduce a chaplain, (who will not do anything “religious” unless asked) to comfort our victims and their families. And to support our peace officers and emergency service providers.

Sonoma County, California, north of San Francisco Bay, is the site of an unusual and highly successful law enforcement chaplaincy program, the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Service (LECS). David Powell, a local pastor, who also had a 27 year career of local and Federal law enforcement service, agreed to develop a chaplain program. The Sheriff requested to be part of the effort, so it became a countywide program. It now numbers nearly 70 trained chaplains who respond immediately 24/7 to all parts of the county when called by any one of 18 law enforcement, fire or emergency response organizations (state, county or municipal) to a tragedy where there is need for emotional support. During five years the chaplains have arrived in timely fashion to absolutely every call for help.

You may ask how, in a county of only 500,000 people, does one find that many chaplains who are willing to volunteer so much time and give so much heart to difficult tasks for which they don’t get paid? Using a model for chaplaincy developed in Sacramento, California and with materials from the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), a non-profit religious corporation that is exempt from Federal and State taxes was formed. This organization is directed by a board, which is made up of law enforcement officers, religious leaders, and citizens from throughout the county. The participating agencies actively recruit chaplain candidates, who are then screened and trained in a six month Chaplains’ Academy modeled after the citizen’s police academies and offering the basic subjects required for basic certification by the ICPC. Upon graduation, the chaplains commit themselves to two days a month availability on a callout schedule that has a primary on call chaplain and two backups at all times. Each graduate is also assigned to a particular group of officers to support.

What is unique about Sonoma County’s experience is that the primary requisite for entry into the program is a verifiable reputation in a worshipping community as a loving person who is sought after for wisdom and comfort by others, and not formal ordination by a judicature. Although most of the chaplains are ordained, many are not. This vital requisite insures the inclusion of women and laypersons that can demonstrate the qualities of being loving and wise persons. The bylaws provide formal commissioning by LECS (an incorporated religious organization) as law enforcement chaplains who are specifically tasked to hear penitential communications and therefore qualify for protection from subpoena under the California Evidence Code.

Also, as many sources of funding prohibit discrimination on religious grounds, the LECS is interfaith. The 66 chaplains represent five world religions and ten Christian denominations thus greatly broadening the field from which chaplains are recruited. At first, there was much contention between the chaplains over issues of religious doctrine. A rule was introduced that prohibits discussing one’s church and doctrine, both between chaplains and with others, unless specifically asked. This has solved a problem that threatened to destroy the ministry. With that rule, and the focus on loving people rather than teaching them, the spirit of teamwork and mutual bonding is exemplary.

The LECS is growing in acceptance daily. Most seasoned law enforcement executives did not expect how quickly and thoroughly the program has been accepted. For our peace officers and emergency service providers to be without this valued resource today, after the experience we have enjoyed, would be considered a step back toward the dark ages. The Law Enforcement Chaplain Services represent the best of a community using its own outstanding resources to take care of itself -- an effort that will undoubtedly become more important with time.

Father David Powell, M.S in Criminal Justice and Master of Divinity served as a local peace officer, Foreign Service officer and police research executive with the Department of Justice during his twenty-seven year career in law enforcement and has served in the ministry for the past twenty years. He also served as the Executive Director for the Law Enforcement Chaplain Services in Sonoma County, CA.

Chief Michael Dunbaugh, B.A., M.S., J.D., has served in local law enforcement for nearly thirty years, the past seven as Chief of Police for the City of Santa Rosa, California.