Law Enforcement Chaplain Training
Law enforcement chaplains provide police forces with spiritual care including prayer, worship and a listening ear. Charged with vital roles, these special chaplains undergo years of training before accepting the monumental responsibilities they face each day in their vocations. Their training and education involves both academic work and hands-on experience, equipping them to competently address a variety of spiritual situations and challenges among law enforcement personnel.
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Educational Training
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Law enforcement chaplains undergo several years of formal educational training. They must complete a high school education and a bachelor's degree. Some chaplains obtain degrees in religion, psychology or criminal science, while others earn degrees in unrelated fields. Chaplains must also proceed to seminary to earn a master of divinity degree (M.Div.), which usually takes three to four years to complete on a full-time basis.
Denominational Endorsement
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In addition to academic training, law enforcement chaplains must seek denominational endorsement from their religious bodies. This may involve becoming ordained as elders or deacons, or simply obtaining special endorsement to work in the chaplaincy field. The requirements and process for endorsement will vary between denominations and the process may take anywhere from a few weeks to several years, based on denominational requirements. Many chaplains begin the endorsement process when they enroll in seminary to ensure they complete all requirements in a timely fashion.
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Field Training
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During seminary, chaplains complete several units of clinical pastoral education (CPE). While some seminarians may be able to work in law enforcement settings, others will complete CPE in hospital, prison or nursing home settings. Following seminary, chaplains must complete two years of residency, normally in a hospital setting. Special arrangements may be made for residency in a law enforcement setting, though benefits such as a stipend and health insurance may or may not be included outside of a hospital setting. In addition, many law enforcement settings require that chaplains obtain five years of experience in the law enforcement field. This experience could entail completing supervision as a chaplain resident or working as a police officer.
Finding Work
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Finding work as a law enforcement chaplain entails contacting police forces for openings. Because job openings may be limited, law enforcement chaplains should be willing to travel to accept their first jobs in the field. Once hired, most police forces require that chaplains undergo specialized training specific to the force, as well as participate in continuing education seminars and meetings.
Challenges
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Because it takes nearly a decade to complete all of the requirements necessary to become a law enforcement chaplain, finances and opportunity may pose a challenge to those seeking to enter the field. Scholarships and special evening and weekend courses may be available to assist those seeking to balance education with regular work and family life. Working as a police officer while in college, seminary and residency might also help to finance education while fulfilling the five-year work requirement and increasing professional connections that could lead to permanent law enforcement chaplaincy positions down the road.
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References
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