A law enforcement chaplain provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to law enforcement officers, their families, and the community. They offer counseling, help cope with trauma, respond to crises, and build positive community relationships. Chaplains also educate officers on stress management and maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions. They respect diverse beliefs and play a crucial role in addressing the emotional and spiritual needs within the law enforcement community.

A chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support in secular or diverse settings (e.g., hospitals, military, prisons) to people of all faiths, often during crises. They are typically employed by the institution where they serve.

A pastor leads a specific religious congregation within a church, conducting worship services, preaching, and providing pastoral care. They serve within the framework of a specific religious denomination and are employed by their church or religious organization.

Law enforcement chaplains respond to a variety of scenes, including accidents, crime scenes, natural disasters, and critical incidents involving serious injury or death. They are present during officer-involved shootings, domestic violence situations, and public disturbances.

Chaplains also assist with death notifications, provide support during times of grief and trauma, and help in the aftermath of community-wide emergencies, offering emotional and spiritual care to those affected.

Qualifications to become a Chaplain

Amador County Law Enforcement Chaplains serve first responder personnel and families. They are trained to work on a professional level providing critical incident response, post-traumatic incident counseling, and other support in crisis-related events.

ENTRY LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS

- A Law Enforcement Chaplain should be an ecclesiastically certified person in good standing and endorsed for law enforcement chaplaincy by a recognized religious body, with three (3) years’ experience in ministry or have a letter of recommendation by their house of worship

- Attend a POST Law Enforcement Chaplains Academy

- Agree to the ICPC (International Conference of Police Chaplains) code of conduct and become a member

- Pass a background investigation 

- Be able and willing to be carefully screened by a local law enforcement chaplaincy committee and/or appointed authority

- Show a God like compassion, love, for his fellow human being and relate well with others

- Maintain a high level of spiritual and moral standard

- Manifest a broad base of experience, professional maturity, emotional stability, and personal flexibility

- Be tactful and considerate in his or her approach to all people, regardless of race, creed, or religion

- Possess a valid California driver’s license and auto insurance

- Have a good credit and financial history

- Have a willingness to minister in a secular environment and respect the 1st Amendment rights of those he or she serves

- Be available to serve on a 24-hour call basis, and be able to stand for hours during all types of weather conditions, and terrains

- Be willing to continue with training programs that enhance one’s efficiency in meeting and dealing with people in crisis

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This policy establishes the guidelines for the recruitment, qualification, selection, and appointment for Amador County Law Enforcement Chaplains (ACLEC).

RECRUITMENT

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office and the Amador County Law Enforcement Chaplains shall endeavor to recruit and appoint only those applicants who meet the high ethical, moral, and professional standards set forth by this department.

All applicants shall be required to meet and pass the same pre-employment procedures as department personnel before appointment. And meet the International Conference of Police Chaplains qualifications and qualities.

QUALIFICATIONS & QUALITIES

A law enforcement chaplain must never have been convicted of a criminal offense or offenses involving moral turpitude.

A law enforcement chaplain should be an ecclesiastically certified person in good standing and endorsed for law enforcement chaplaincy by a recognized religious body, with three (3) years’ experience in ministry.

A law enforcement chaplain should have a specialized interest in law enforcement chaplaincy by training, working experience and appointment.

A law enforcement chaplain should be able and willing to be carefully screened by a local law enforcement chaplaincy committee and/or appointed authority.

A law enforcement chaplain should be available to serve on a 24-hour call basis, determined and governed by the senior law enforcement chaplain.

A law enforcement chaplain should manifest a broad base of experience and professional ministry, emotional stability, and personal flexibility.

A law enforcement chaplain should be compassionate, tactful, and considerate in approaching all people regardless of race, sex, creed, or religion.

A law enforcement chaplain should be willing to become involved in training programs that enhance one’s efficiency in meeting and dealing with people in crisis and should be familiar with community medical, psychiatric, and other helping resources in the local area.

A law enforcement chaplain must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state.

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT

Law enforcement chaplains, so approved, are representatives of their denominations, but ecumenical in service. Their acceptability as chaplain is contingent upon their continued good standing within the religious organization they represent.

Chaplain candidates shall successfully complete the following process prior to appointment as a chaplain:

a) Submit the appropriate written application

b) Include a recommendation from employers &/or volunteer programs

c) Interview with the Senior ChaplainSuccessfully complete an appropriate-level background investigation

d) Understand and agree to the ICPC Canon of Ethics

e) Once approved, swearing in ceremony is held

f) Become a member of ICPC and successfully complete ICPC basic training

g) Complete an appropriate probationary period designated by the Senior Chaplain

Download a Copy Here

ACLEC Duties & Requirements

It is the duty of the Law Enforcement Chaplain to respond when requested by the law enforcement agencies we serve. These requests for a Chaplain will include a variety of critical or traumatic incidents. Some of the crisis calls may involve a natural death, an accidental death (an auto fatality, accidental overdose) a suicide, or homicide. Chaplains provide grief support and counseling to those that are grief stricken or bereaved.

Chaplains also assist the department, department members and the community.

Support officers and family members that are hospitalized.

Be a liaison for the departments to the religious community.

Assist officers in making death notifications & referrals to grief support groups or bereavement education.

Attend department and academy graduations, ceremonies and social events and offer invocations and benedictions, as requested.

Hold in confidence discussions shared as privileged information.

Operational Guidelines:

- To be on-call for a 7-day period per month, Monday to Sunday, serving a minimum of 8 hours per month.

> During your on-call period, you are required to be available and ready to response to crisis calls.

> During your on-call period, it is suggested that you also:

- Visit/Ride Along/Sit In – ACSO, to include CO’s & Dispatch

- Visit/Ride Along – Ione PD

- Visit/Ride Along – Jackson PD

- Visit/Ride Along - Sutter Creek PD

- Visit/Ride Along – American Legion Ambulance EMS OfficersPhone contact 1-5 officers

Always text the Senior Chaplain to let them know you are either doing a ride along or sit-in. And always text the Senior Chaplain before you go on a call out for an incident.

> Submit Reports – ALL REPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH ACLEC or ACSO EMAIL only. (See report guidelines for details).

> Attend the monthly Chaplains and crisis responder training meetings.

> Meet with the Team Lead monthly – via phone call or in person

> On Going Training

- Attend at the minimum 1 ICPC training yearly

- Read & report on enhancement book each quarter

- All other opportunities available, TBA monthly

Download Job Duties and Requirements Here

Download Application Here