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The complicated issue of police chaplains

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
As we see increased focus on issues and problems with racism and violence against maginalized groups by police, it's worth noting that just about every police force making the news has a network of chaplains associated with it.

How do the issues affecting those police forces reflect on their chaplains... and by extension, the religions that these chaplains represent?

On the positive side, apparently some chaplains see themselves as helping... as being a calming influence and creating a bridge between police and the communities they serve:

Faith leaders in dual roles guiding congregations and police

On the other side, performing chaplain duties implies at least tacit support of the police.

I also notice that my admittedly quick Google search for "police chaplain resigns in protest" turned up zero hits for modern-day police chaplains stepping down in response to misdeeds of their police forces. Curiously, the military is different in this regard: I did find a handful of military chaplains who have stepped down over either drone strikes or prisoner treatment at GITMO.

I also notice that I can't find any statements from police chaplains against police violence. I can find plenty of these from police chiefs individually and official statements from whole police forces, but none from chaplains.

So... in cases of systemic police brutality or discrimination where we condemn front-line officers, supervisors, chiefs, police unions, etc., should police chaplains be included or exempt from these criticisms?
 

bobhikes

Nondetermined
Premium Member
So... in cases of systemic police brutality or discrimination where we condemn front-line officers, supervisors, chiefs, police unions, etc., should police chaplains be included or exempt from these criticisms?

Police chaplains are like Army chaplains they are put in a bad situation to try and help were ever they can. They have no authority. They do not want to stand out because it could meditate their ability to help. Its known they are against violence.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
Police chaplains are like Army chaplains they are put in a bad situation to try and help were ever they can.
How are they helping in the current situation?

Edit: and as I mentioned, I could find examples of military chaplains protesting the actions of the military. Not many, but some.

They have no authority.
No formal authority. They often have informal authority.

They do not want to stand out because it could meditate their ability to help.
So silence is the price of access?

Its known they are against violence.
Is it?

It's not known to me, and their conduct often suggests that they aren't against police violence.

If "it is known" that they are against violence, why would saying this out loud affect their ability to help?
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
Police chaplains are like Army chaplains they are put in a bad situation to try and help were ever they can. They have no authority. They do not want to stand out because it could meditate their ability to help. Its known they are against violence.
Would it be analogous to psychiatrists not speaking out against their patients?
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
Pretty much, there job is really to provide religious services to both police and criminals. Confession, communion and last rites. You want something they aren't offering.
You seem to have a very different idea of what chaplains do than this actual chaplain (from the article I linked to in the OP):

“We’re better together,” said Joan Austin, a minister at New Creation Baptist Church in Minneapolis and a chaplain in the 5th Precinct, which was engulfed in violent protests the night after the third precinct was torched. “I lift (officers and congregants) up in prayer every single night.”

Praying with police officers before they go on duty, bringing them into meetings with the communities they serve but often don’t live in, and trying to break down mutual fear and suspicion are some of the ways in which chaplains serve both their congregations and their precincts.
 

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
You seem to have a very different idea of what chaplains do than this actual chaplain (from the article I linked to in the OP):
I don’t see where your link is effectively different from what the poster said.

If you knew anything about chaplaincy work, I don’t think you’d ask the question. Chaplains are impartial, objective supporters. If they’re not, they can’t do their work. Chaplains should not speak out. It’s not their job to do so.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
I don’t see where your link is effectively different from what the poster said.
"Communion, confession and last rites" would not include leading whole detachments in prayer before their shifts or acting as a liaison between the police and the community, two of the things that the chaplain I quoted says she does.

If you knew anything about chaplaincy work, I don’t think you’d ask the question. Chaplains are impartial, objective supporters. If they’re not, they can’t do their work. Chaplains should not speak out. It’s not their job to do so.
"Impartial" and "supporter" are incompatible ideas. Edit: Anyone impartial toward the police would not wear a police uniform... not even with a "chaplain" insignia.

And as I pointed out, chaplains sometimes do speak out. I mentioned military chaplains who have spoken out against drone strikes, for instance.

... so it does happen sometimes. I just can't find any police chaplains as willing to act on their conscience as those military chaplains.
 

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
"Communion, confession and last rites" would not include leading whole detachments in prayer before their shifts or acting as a liaison between the police and the community, two of the things that the chaplain I quoted says she does.
The job of offering Communion is to connect people and create community. That’s why it’s called “communion.” Corporate prayer also gathers people into one. Acting as “connective tissue” between groups in a community accomplishes the same thing. It’s all about connecting people spiritually.
"Impartial" and "supporter" are incompatible ideas.
Not true. Appropriate objectivity is key to the helping ministries.

Anyone impartial toward the police would not wear a police uniform... not even with a "chaplain" insignia.
Also not true. One wears the uniform appropriate to the job. The chaplain is hired by the police and works on behalf of the community, of which the police are one arm.

And as I pointed out, chaplains sometimes do speak out. I mentioned military chaplains who have spoken out against drone strikes, for instance.
I’m not convinced that they should. I’m more prone to think that they should Serve as a conscience, admonishing decision makers and transgressors, but not publicly.
 
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