Religion-Oriented/Faith-Based Support
Chaplains are often trained in counseling officers and their families about the aftermath of trauma. Groups that are affiliated with a particular religious outlook also offer comfort and support.
American Muslim Law Enforcement Officers Association (AMLEOA)
AMLEOA, Inc., is a nationwide effort, within the law enforcement community, dedicated to fostering respectful relationships between the American Muslim community, its attendant institutions, and the law enforcement agencies of the United States of America and its Territories.
The website offers news and events happening in the community, and discusses issues of the day. For better understanding and tolerance, this website provides a much needed resource.
Go to: http://www.amleoa.com. Write: AMLEOA, PO Box 24584, Brooklyn, NY 11202. Phone: 718-998-1549.
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers
Teaching the Gospel of Jesus, this organization offers training in basic ministry skills. With more than sixty active chapters in the U.S., the Fellowship provides a source of peace and nourishment for the soul.
Go to: http://www.fcpo.org. Write: Grant Wolf, Executive Director, 1801 Bailey Avenue, PO Box 3686, Chattanooga, TN 37404-0686. Phone: 423-622-1234.
International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC)
When chaplains work in the police world, they help everyone regardless of religious background including law enforcement officers, their families, other department members, the community and the incarcerated. The ICPC provides information, support and training opportunities to members of the organization and offers assistance to police agencies seeking to start or improve their chaplaincy program.
With members in every U.S. state, numerous Canadian provinces and several other countries, many chaplains are trained in counseling officers and their families affected by trauma. The website provides the e-mail addresses of chaplains in a number of U.S. cities.
The website also mentions a number of important books. Visit www.Amazon.com for descriptions and ordering information for Chaplaincy in Law Enforcement: What It Is and How To Do It; Mastering Law Enforcement Chaplaincy; and Law Enforcement Funeral Manual: A Practical Guide for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Go to: http://www.icpc4cops.org/. Write: ICPC, P.O. Box 5590, Destin, FL 32540-5590. Phone: 850-654-9736.
Jews In Law Enforcement
The National Shomrim Society’s purpose is to offer comfort and support to those of the Jewish faith in law enforcement. Their motto back in 1958 was: “So that police, fire and public safety officers of the Jewish faith may join together for the welfare of all.” And that guiding principle still rings true. The organization has branches in about 20 states.
The website provides a Jewish Q&A, a chaplain’s message, upcoming events, information on their annual convention, a chat room, member news, links to many member chapters, and more.
Go to: http://www.nationalshomrim.org. Write: National Shomrim, c/o Marty Turetzky, 264 East Broadway, #C1905, New York, NY 10002. Phone: 212-777-7809.
A personal website created by a Jewish cop offers support, and explores the meaning, philosophies and ethics behind Jewish cops. It is a call for tolerance and understanding. Among other things, the site links to Judaism 101, a course in the basics.
Go to: http://www.angelfire.com/on/JodyHomePg/jewishcops.html
With similar aims and objectives of support and understanding, the United Kingdom has an organization called the Jewish Police Association. Go to: http://www.jewishpoliceassociation.org.uk
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento (LECS)
Founded in 1977, and run by senior chaplains Mindi and Frank Russell, Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento is a nonprofit organization providing nonsectarian crisis support to law enforcement and the general community around the Sacramento area. As a result of its achievements over the years, the Chaplaincy has been cited as a national model for communities throughout the U.S., and departments wishing to expand their chaplaincy program or start one should check out this website and organization.
The chaplaincy provides chaplains from diverse backgrounds, including Christian, Jewish and Muslim, to help law enforcement officers, first responders, and civilians in crisis.
It offers many programs on what it takes to become a police chaplain. These include classes on stress management, death notification, PTSD, burnout, legal liability, confidentiality, ethics, responding to a crisis situation, the police family, substance abuse, suicide, and officer injury and death.
Go to: http://sacchaplains.com. Write: Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento, 10399 Rockingham Drive, Sacramento, CA 95827. Phone: 916-857-1801.
Peace Officers for Christ International (POFCI)
The main purpose of the organization is to support cops and their families. As well as an electronic journal, the group offers conferences, couples’ retreats and other programs.
Go to: http://www.pofci.org. Write: POFCI, 3000 W. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 426, Santa Ana, CA 92704. Phone: 714-426-7632.
See also: Publications
For Chaplain/Rabbi Cary A. Friedman’s book, Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement.