The Baker City Police Department Chaplain Program is established for the purposes of providing spiritual and emotional support to all members of the Department, their families and members of the public.
Members of the Chaplain Program shall fulfill the program's purpose in the following manner:
- By serving as a resource for department personnel when dealing with the public in such incidents as accidental deaths, suicides, suicidal subjects, serious accidents, drug and alcohol abuse, and other such situations that may arise.
- By providing an additional link between the community, other chaplain programs and the Department.
- By providing counseling, spiritual guidance and insight for department personnel and their families.
- By being alert to the spiritual and emotional needs of department personnel and their families.
- By familiarizing themselves with the role of law enforcement in the community.
The duties of a chaplain include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in making notification to families of department members who have been seriously injured or killed.
- After notification, respond to the hospital or home of the department member.
- Visit sick or injured law enforcement personnel in the hospital or home.
- Attend and participate, when requested, in funerals of active or retired members of the Department.
- Assist sworn personnel in the diffusion of a conflict or incident when requested.
- Respond to natural and accidental deaths, suicides and attempted suicides, family disturbances and any other incident that in the judgment of the Patrol Sergeant or Supervisor aids in accomplishing the Department's mission.
- Be on call and if at all possible, on duty during major demonstrations or any public function that requires the presence of a large number of department personnel.
- Counsel with officers and other personnel with personal problems when requested.
- Attend department and academy graduations, ceremonies and social events and offer invocations and benedictions, as requested.
- Respond to all major disasters such as earthquakes, bombings and similar critical incidents.
- Provide liaison with other religious leaders of the community.
- Assist public safety personnel and the community in any other function of the clergy profession as requested.
- Participate in in-service training classes, as applicable.
- Willingness to train to enhance effectiveness.
- Facilitate requests for representatives or ministers of other denominations promptly.
- Make referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed, or in those cases that are beyond the chaplain's ability to assist.
Chaplains may not accept gratuities offered for their services or follow-up contacts while functioning as a chaplain for the Baker City Police Department.