The number one credentialing agency in the United States for law enforcement chaplains is the International Conference of Police Chaplains. In fact, as the name implies, the ICPC is international and includes a number of other countries.
Counting the United States, the ICPC now has chaplains serving in 18 different countries.
At the commemorative service at Grapevine, Texas, in 2013, around 260 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty had their names read. In addition, there were 11 K9 dogs recognized for giving their lives in the line of duty.
Statistics indicate the number of worldwide "loss events" in 2011 was 820, including geophysical, meteorological, hydrological and climatological events (www.munichre.com) plus criminal and terror events.
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report for 2010, an estimated 1.3 million violent crimes occurred in the United States alone. In most of these, chaplains were there.
The ICPC offers assistance, reinforcement and materials to law enforcement agencies and organizations around the world, reaching out in times of crisis with supplies, information and materials to assist in the establishment of new chaplaincy programs.
The ICPC is inclusive of all faiths and extends services and benefits without regard to gender, racial or religious differences. With over 200 members, the ICPC is made up almost exclusively of volunteers.
In order to be a full member of the ICPC, a chaplain must complete all 12 of the basic courses offered.
These are: Introduction to Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, Death Notification, Stress Management, Ceremonies and Events, Confidentiality and Legal Liability, Ethics, Responding to a Crisis Situation, The Law Enforcement Family, Substance Abuse, Suicide, Officer Death or Injury, and Sensitivity and Diversity.
Each of these courses is 1 1/2 hours long and must be taught and certified by an approved ICPC instructor. Of course, there is an annual fee that is charged to belong to the ICPC, but chaplains serve without charge in the execution of their responsibilities.
Whenever there is a major crisis, such as the fall of the World Trade Center buildings on 9-11, there are a large number of people who want to respond and help.
Unfortunately, there is not enough food and housing to accommodate everyone, so most are turned away. An exception is made for those who are ICPC trained. They are welcome. In addition, following 9-11, Congress expanded coverage of line-of-duty deaths among law enforcement officers to now include sworn chaplains who give their lives in the line of duty.
As far as I know, I am the only ICPC chaplain in northwest Arkansas credentialed to teach the 12 basic courses in the ICPC and to give participants credit for attending them.
In addition, I also am approved by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to offer any of these courses to law enforcement officers for continuing education credit.
I have been teaching these courses locally, and would invite anyone interested in ICPC training to contact me at [email protected] to inquire about their availability. It is a privilege to serve as a chaplain and to train others.
* * *
Box is the chaplain for the Bella Vista Police and Fire departments. The opinions expressed in this column don't necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.
Editorial on 07/23/2014