Responsibilities
Law Enforcement Chaplains work with law enforcement and fire service personnel on a professional level providing critical incident response, post-traumatic counseling, and other support necessary in crisis related events.
Law Enforcement Chaplains provide immediate confidential, personal and family counseling, within the framework of non-denominational spiritual guidance to any law enforcement officer, fire fighter, and their family. Law Enforcement Chaplains provide this optional personal resource not only to these officers and firefighters but also to all department employees and their families as well.
Law Enforcement Chaplains respond to counsel, assist, and support victims and witnesses of critical incidents, crisis, and other traumatic events. Chaplains are specially trained in handling these situations and are available to provide follow-up counseling and intervention for the people of Napa County.
Funding
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Napa County, Inc., is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization funded by private donations from individuals, businesses, and churches. A Board of Directors serves as the governing body to oversee policy and planning, and to monitor the fiscal integrity of the organization.
Duties
The duties of Law Enforcement Chaplains generally coincide with these activities:
- Assist department officials in making death notifications
- Ceremonies such as benedictions, graduations, banquets, weddings
- Critical incident debriefing
- Domestic disturbances
- Fatal accidents
- Help with family members of departmental personnel
- Hostage negotiations
- Officer deaths, funerals, and memorials on-duty, off-duty, or retired personnel
- Public relations intervention
- Represent the department before official bodies upon request
- Respond to major disasters/Liaison with relief agencies
- Sex crimes
- Suicides, threats, and attempts
- SWAT Operations
- Victim assist
- Violent crimes against individuals
- Visit sick or injured personnel at home or in the hospital
