“Call the Chaplain….”

Why “Call the Chaplain?”

All to often we clear a bad/ugly or difficult scene and in the few minutes to the next call from dispatch we try to process and discard or file away feelings from the scene we just cleared in preparation for the next. Many times agencies do not have the processes or personnel to assist their employees in times of crisis. Many times troops are just expected to “Suck it up.” All too often the help that is needed is not available or simply not offered.

Chaplains exist as a ministry of presence, yet often times are not available for the officer at the time they are needed. All too many departments fail to utilize Chaplains for their primary purpose, choosing instead to use them more for community service as opposed to making the agencies troops and employees their first priority and responsibility.

“Call the Chaplain” has been set up to provide all our Protectors with direct access to a Law Enforcement Chaplain. With the amazing electronic technology that is available to all of us, we are a simple phone call away.

That same phone call can also be made via “Face Time.” The “Zoom App” and “Go to Meeting” are two more great communication tools that allows you to reach out and “Call the Chaplain.”

The bottom line is we will do whatever it takes to spend time with you….when you need it….at your convenience. We are here to serve and support you.

We are all Alphas in our professions, but that many times comes at a personal cost to us and our families. There is no shame or weakness in asking for help….quite the opposite: It is a sign of great strength and love, for yourself and your family.

Chaplains are bound by strict and legal rules of confidentiality. They are defined in three levels:

1)  Sensitive Communication—means any non-privileged communication that would not be inappropriate for general dissemination to third parties.  This would include, but not be limited to the topics below:

     A.  Counselee’s participation in an Alcoholics Anonymous program

     B.  Counselee’s admission in a substance abuse clinic

     C.  Treatment by other clinical professionals

     D.  Prior arrests

2)  Privileged Communication—means information which is not admissible in a court or legal action

3)  Confidential Communication—means ANY communication to a pastor, chaplain, minister, reverend, priest, rabbi, etc., that is made as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience. 

It is a communication that is made in confidence to a pastor/chaplain acting as a spiritual advisor.  This form of communication is upheld by religious organizations and protected by civil law and is not intended to be disclosed to third part persons in any context, legal or otherwise.

would you like to speak to a Chaplain?

“The Blue Microphone”

Podcasts and interviews with police, fire, and medical responders to explore how their faith impacts their professional duties and personal life.  Responders are never called because everything is going well.  Tragedy, ugliness, and trauma are the norm.  We will not only deal with the moment, but at the end of shift we return home to our families to be husbands, wives, and parents. 

As a Chaplain for the New Braunfels Police Department Chris regularly sends out messages to his troops….the messages are varied, but the majority directly tie into officer integrity, accountability, safety and survival. You can find some of these messages located in the Chaplain’s Corner section of this website.