Police chaplaincy
Do you have what it takes?
The best police chaplains share a rare mix of emotional intelligence, personal stamina, and a deep desire to put their faith into practice. Eight quick statements will show you how much of that mix is yours.
About two minutes. Nothing you answer is saved or sent anywhere.
Your answers
How to look further
- Find the chaplains near you. Many police and sheriff’s departments list their chaplain program on their website. If yours doesn’t, call the non-emergency line and ask for the chaplain coordinator or the chief’s office. Your own pastor, priest, rabbi, or imam may know the local chaplains, too.
- Talk to one. Ask what a typical week looks like, what the department expects, and how they got started. Chaplains are usually glad to have that conversation.
- Expect a process. Each agency sets its own requirements. Many ask for a background check, an endorsement from your faith community, ride-alongs, and a steady commitment of time. Some look for prior pastoral or counseling experience.
- Get trained. The International Conference of Police Chaplains offers basic and advanced training and credentialing, online and at regional and annual seminars. Courses in critical incident stress management (CISM) are common, too, and some states run their own law enforcement chaplain academies.
- Learn from those who’ve done it. Veteran chaplains share what the work really asks of a person in the Police Chaplain Project.
Every chaplain needs people behind them
- Support ChaplainUSA. Your gift helps us gather chaplains’ wisdom and hand it to the next generation.
- Ask the question locally. Ask your department, city council, or congregation whether your community has police chaplains, and whether they have what they need.
- Share the stories. Send this page, or a story from the Police Chaplain Project, to someone who might be called to this work.
- Thank a chaplain. If you know one, tell them their work matters.
This is an informal reflection, not a screening or assessment. Each agency decides who serves as its chaplain.