Date

4-26-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Darren Hercyk

Keywords

Cullman County Sheriff's Office, Ministry of Presence, Relationships, Trust, Deputies, Law Enforcement Chaplains

Disciplines

Christianity

Abstract

Law enforcement officers’ high incidence of suicides and career abandonment is often attributed to work stress and inadequate support. The unmet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs further compound this situation. The researcher addressed the problem of unmet needs by training local pastors to serve as chaplains. Seven deputies, including six males and one female, and ten ministers, including eight males and two females, participated in the program. The training sessions included the following topics: introduction to law enforcement chaplaincy, personal issues LEOs’ battle, ministry of presence, building relationships, the chaplain’s purpose and role, qualities desired in a chaplain, ride-alongs, death notifications, and an overview of the different divisions within the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. The researcher identified several recurring themes by conducting interviews with deputies and chaplains. According to the interviewees, factors such as serving, work stressors, trust, and relationships significantly determine the presence or absence of a positive career attitude. By implementing a chaplaincy ministry, chaplains built trusting relationships and began meeting the unmet needs of deputies. Other law enforcement agencies will be able to follow this study to address their personnel’s unmet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, which will help foster a healthy working environment.

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