A Ministry Of Care In Times Of Crisis

 Police Shomreem Ministries

Description Of The Public Safety Chaplaincy

Public Safety chaplains are comforters, pastors, teachers, and counselors.  Chaplains are creative and understanding as they demonstrate G-d’s grace and love in ministering to people in crisis situations. Chaplains serving with law enforcement, fire department, and emergency services agencies minister to the employees of the agency as well as the people served in the community, by that agency. 

Chaplains help people discover spiritual resources and faith by providing worship services, religious education, pastoral care, and counseling.

As persons called by G-d, Public Safety Law Enforcement Chaplains are trained to serve in an environment of critical incident service and response. There are not many areas of mission service that require greater spiritual sensitivity and more rapid response to human need than a critical incident or disaster.

Chaplaincy is an expression of ministry that places chaplains inside various settings, which include hospitals, corporations, prisons, public safety agencies, and the military services.  As such, the ministry of chaplaincy is an extension of the local church reaching into our diverse and multi-cultural society providing spiritual care to people.  Chaplains perform the roles of pastor, preacher, teacher/rabbi, evangelist, counselor, and administrator as they represent the church and the denomination from "inside" the using agency.

Entering that saddest of moments is no easier for a chaplain, but the chaplain brings experience, training and skills to the tragedy that are as specialized as the law enforcement resources every officer develops with training and experience.  As a team, both chaplain and officer make an important difference in the lives of persons touched by tragedy.  We work together.

Chaplains represent a wide variety of religious traditions and levels of professional preparation and endorsement. But when the chaplain is working in the police world, each is "chaplain" for everyone, not the religious leader of a particular denomination serving a particular congregation or service agency.  Chaplains serve many personal and spiritual needs of individuals where they are, when they need the support of another person who comes to them without judgment, with openness, and cares for them until the crisis moment is over.  Chaplains respect the persons they serve, even though there may be profound differences in race, gender, economic status, religious experience and many other factors.

Chaplains come at any hour, in all kinds of weather. Mostly, they listen. But, they also comfort people who are shaking with fear, with a gentle touch . . . or perhaps, if someone asks, a prayer will be offered in guarded privacy to support the trembling of spirit that comes in difficult moments.  Chaplains also understand the difficulties of public bureaucracies, assisting with the "red tape" moments of life for officers and the public alike. They spend many hours riding as active passengers with officers on patrol duty.  They also participate in a wide variety of training programs with their officer partners.  Often chaplains are asked to teach classes dealing with stress, family life, relationships, ethics, and other issues.  All chaplains responding to 9-11disasters raised their own funds to cover their expenses.  Many law enforcement agencies, cities, police unions, churches and individuals contributed to make it possible for their chaplain to respond when needed. 

Public Safety And Disaster Relief Chaplaincy, A Biblical Response To Emotional And Spiritual Crisis:

Public Safety and Disaster Relief Chaplaincy are two positive Biblical responses to people who are in crisis as a result of traumatic experiences.  There are two distinct kinds and two parts to the crisis experienced after experiencing this type of incident.  Public safety and disaster incidents bring on a similar type of reaction in people.  This is common in most people.  There are people who have the resilience to survive despite the type of experience.  The minds reaction to physical and emotional trauma is similar in most people.  There is a natural instinct to survive.  However some people react to the posttraumatic pressure differently.  Some fare well and some are in need of someone being there to comfort and listen, or professional counseling.  The charge of the chaplain is to bring a ministry of presence to the survivor in the critical moments after the incident.

There are arguments that mental health counseling is needed in these situations.  This is not the case as anyone can be of help to a person in crisis.  We have all gone through some kind of crisis in our lives.  In this experience we can gain the ability to be empathetic and compassionate.  Chaplains are trained in being empathetic and compassionate in their dealings with victims of traumatic incidents. 

Chaplains who serve in Police Shomreem Ministries attend certain disaster and crisis trainings, above and beyond their other ministry trainings.  Our chaplains attend and complete trainings in Disaster Relief Protocol, Disaster Relief Chaplaincy, Critical Incident Stress Management and FEMA required disaster response.  The trainings that we attend are with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief of the North American Mission Board, The Salvation Army Disaster Services, the American Association of Christian Counselors and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.  The attendees receive certificates of completion from these trainings.  Continuing Education Units are earned each year for chaplaincy and counseling specific trainings.  Our chaplains are encouraged to keep up to date with their professional training needs.

Chaplains are specialized in responding with a ministry of emotional and spiritual care for people in crisis.  We use sound Biblical concepts to minister in times of need.  There are examples for survival in the Bible.  We use these principles to minister sound advice and comfort to those who suffer from traumatic experiences.  Those sound Biblical principles go along with and are foundational to post crisis intervention.  Chaplains that are not licensed as mental health counselors minister to the immediate spiritual and emotional needs of the survivors.  We do however use the basic principles of faith and mental health care to minister to people in need.  We may be the only help a person finds or receives after the incident.  

There is a great example in the Bible about taking care of someone in crisis or suffering from negative traumatic experiences.  This example is found in an illustration taught in Luke chapter 10: verses 25 to 37.  The teaching is called the parable of the Good Samaritan. A young lawyer asked the question, "And who is my neighbor?"  In Genesis chapter 4: verse 9 G-d asked Cain "Where is Abel your brother?"  Abel answered, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"  In Luke chapter 10 an answer was given.  We are to love the L-rd and our neighbor.  The example is in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Today we find that there are certain types of physical, emotional and spiritual care that a person in crisis needs soon after experiencing a traumatic event.  Survival and recovery can be dependent on someone helping in this time of need.  The chaplain is charged with the specific responsibility of tending to the emotional and spiritual needs of those who have survived a traumatic event, where they have been assigned.  Basically there are ten responses to these needs that are necessary in the first 24 to 48 hours after the traumatic experience. This is commonly taught to crisis intervention workers and critical incident stress management workers.  Formally or informally chaplains fall into this category of first responders.  George S. Everly, Jr., Ph.D, Jeffrey T. Mitchell, Ph.D, Kevin Ellers, D.Min. and Jennifer Cisney, M.A. all teach that certain needs must be met to start the way to recovery. 

In 1970 Abraham Maslow, PhD. identified five levels of need within human existence.  This is called the “Hierarchy of Needs.”  This hierarchical structure of needs is often illustrated in a pyramid.  Dr. Maslow places safety after the physiological needs.  In most critical incidents food, water and shelter are not needed until the immediate danger is removed or the person is taken out of danger to a safe place.  Next is the need for medical and emotional safety.  Then we can assess the need for the level of further assistance with emotional and spiritual care.

Those post traumatic experience needs are:

1:            Physical safety is the first response that must be met by the care giver.  Removing the person from the danger or visual experience of the traumatic event is paramount.  The safety of the survivor and the care giver should be the first response.  This response should be as soon after the event as possible.  This safety also pertains to the medical treatment of the survivor as well as the beginning of emotional and spiritual treatment of the unseen wounds.  The good Samaritan went to the wounded man and "felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds.”  Often the medical needs have been met and the first response is to connect or make contact.

2:             The next step is assessment and triage.  We must look for the injuries that are above and beyond the obvious ones.  We must take care to sooth the pain of the experience.  The good Samaritan used oil and wine to sooth the immediate pain and sterilize the area from risk of infection.  Assessing the survivors needs as soon after first contact will tell the care giver what is needed to further help the way to recovery.  Chaplaincy or emotional and spiritual care, are about helping to start the healing from those injuries that are not seen outwardly.

3:            The assessment has illustrated the emotional, mental and physical ability to cope with the experience.  The next step is to meet the practical and physiological needs of the survivor.  The good Samaritan “put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn.”  This is about starting a recovery and rehabilitation process.  The man was transported to shelter where he was cared for while recovering.  As in Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” food, water, safety and shelter should be provided for the recovery to proceed. 

4:             People who experience traumatic events need to know what actually happened.  The need for information is paramount to the survivor.  As we react to a traumatic event we quickly develop enhanced sensory awareness, and are attention focuses on the present danger or event experience.  We start processing incoming data at a higher rate as when we are in a comfortable environment.  Memory is enhanced but there is a multitude of date coming in that seems to run together.  During the event time seems to stand still and there is a temporary cessation of emotional reactions other than fight or flight.

     At this point people need to know what happened and if it happened.  They need to know the facts as to what occurred, how it started, when I started and what happened that they missed.  Secondary victims need to know what is happening as they are not directly experiencing the event.  The example of a secondary victim is that of a family member of a mine cave in or collapse.  In this case good information is food for survival.

5:             The good Samaritan “took care of him.”  This is one of the most important functions of a chaplain.  This is called a ministry of presence.  This stage, in the process of recovery, is where the chaplain or crisis worker sits with the survivor and lets them know that they are there.  This is a time for the victim to vent or sit in the silence of thought.  This is a time when the survivor can ask questions about why.  Why did it happen, Why did it happen to them.  Why did G-d let it happen.  This is a time when the survivor needs to hear the question from their own mouth.  They don’t expect answers and in most cases they don’t want the care giver to voice their opinion.  They still need facts and they are looking for truth or they are just overwhelmed with grief.  Being there is the most important thing we can do. 

6:             After they process all the information about the event they need information on what to do next, where to go for help and how to avoid this in the future.  This is a time when the survivor needs to know what is next.  The how to avoid the situation may be addressed at a later time.  Developing a plan for survival and recovery is a main concern.  The good Samaritan "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him;”  This was the next step in recovery.

7:           Venting is essential.  The process of venting is the start of pressure release.  Venting should be directed in a positive path.  Telling the story of what happened will clean much of the poison out of the system.    

8:           Spiritual care is the next step in a chaplains work with the survivor.  Prayer should have been involved from the start of the involvement in the incident.  There is no mention of this in this passage of the Bible, but a Good Samaritan would have knowledge of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He would have been praying that he would do right from the start. 

   Prayer works and when the person in crisis knows that someone is praying, they usually feel better.  It has been proven that prayer helps in times of physical and emotional trauma.  Sometimes a person will ask for prayer and sometimes the chaplain will ask if they can pray for the person.  The response is usually affirmative and positive. 

    This is a time when the chaplain can be an encourager to the survivor.  This is also a time when the chaplain can ask G-d to intercede.  As chaplains we believe that healing comes from the One who created all things.  If He created it He can fix it.  Nothing is too small for G-d.  The best example is the universe.  The universe is so big and we are so small in comparison.  In this large universe G-d created man and the ant alike.  So small is the ant, but G-d cared enough to create this small wonderful creature that has an essential function on our small planet.  If G-d created it He cares for it.

9:         Building a sense of hope is next in the road to recovery.  Chaplains specialize in building a sense of hope.  The job of the first responder in emotional and spiritual care  is to encourage the people past the traumatic experience.  G-d has the power to heal anything, if it be His will.  Survivors need to know that they can recover and be able to move beyond the crisis.  They need to be encouraged not to doubt that recovery is a process of healing.

10:         Continued care is essential for the survivor.  In the short time the first responder is with this person the basics of healing have been started.  This short time that the chaplain has with the survivor is not the end.  The good Samaritan said to the innkeeper, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.”  It is not our job to financially support the survivor, but it is important to refer this person to someone who can continue helping with the healing process.  We chaplains have the option to refer a person to a mental health professional like a Licensed Counselor, a Licensed Christian Counselor or a Psychiatrist.  In some cases we have the option to refer this person to a local congregation where they can be a part of a spiritually motivated support group or a minister who is trained in counseling.  We chaplains can also initiate a follow-up visit to see how the person is doing. 

Public Safety Chaplaincy and Disaster Relief Chaplaincy are two types of first responder care giving ministries that meet both the main needs of those who suffer the effects of negative traumatic experiences.  A counselor can meet the emotional needs of a person suffering through crisis.  A chaplain can meet the needs of both emotional and spiritual concerns in a disaster or critical incident.  The above information and the Biblical referenced in Luke 10:25-37 illustrate the response to crisis that is given by a chaplain.  Chaplains work in an assessment and triage part of the first hours after the critical incident is experienced.  Chaplains work for G-d and G-d has the power to create, rebuild and heal.  Man can do his best to repair the wounded body, but G-d has the ability to cause the body to heal.  G-d and faith in His supply and healing power will cause healing and recovery of the soul.  The emotions of a person can be driven by the experiences that cause doubt or they can be driven by faith in the G-d that loves us so much that He came to tell us.  G-d gave us His Holy Word in the Bible and instructs us that living by this Word will lead to true salvation, healing and recovery.

The principles of chaplaincy are illustrated in Luke chapter 10 verses 25-37.  In fact we are our brother’s keepers.  Two or three strands of rope are harder to break that one.

Biblical References

Luke 10:25-37     And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"  27 And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."  29 But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Jesus replied and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho , and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.  31 "And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  32 "Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  33 "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,  34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  35 "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'  36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"  37 And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."

Genesis 4:9                    Then the LORD said to Cain, " Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

The above information came from public reference, works of training materials, printed and web articles and other printed material.  The material and content came from the following:

The Holy Bible, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief of the North American Mission Board, The Salvation Army Disaster Services, American Association of Christian Counselors, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

" Hear, O Israel! The L-RD is our G-d, the L-RD is one! " You shall love the L-RD your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. " These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. " You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. " You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. " You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."  [Deut 6:4-9  NASU]

The above information is common to the chaplaincy profession and some of the above information is from ministry publications and training material with a common goal.  The information on this page is available to those who wish to serve the ones who serve and protect us.

This ministry does not directly work under nor is it directly associated  with any of the local, state or national Shomrim Society lodges.  We do however strongly support these associations of Jewish police officers.