We care - Chaplaincy Unit plays major role in lifting morale of police

John Myers Jr, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) holds the distinction of being one of the few jurisdictions in the world where chaplaincy services are fully integrated into police-service delivery.

In fact, the head of the JCF's Chaplaincy Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bishop Gary Welsh, declared that this has contributed in a major way to the high morale that currently exists among the men and women of the JCF.

"Policing in Jamaica now is probably at its peak in terms of the morale of the men and women, and I credit that largely to the combined efforts of the chaplaincy and the (Police) Federation because we have made emotional support so accessible. Members have added value to the service they offer," Welsh told The Gleaner.

"Every officer who is exposed to a traumatic event has to be counselled before going back on duty. Also, officers who have been identified as underperformers come to see the chaplain. If you are not managing your personal finances, you are pulled over to be seen by the chaplain. We help our officers to manage what we call their personal administration," Welsh explained.

"We have made tremendous strides … . Jamaica has this unique advantage over the other models in that we have been fully integrated. So we go across the world and teach chaplaincy in other jurisdictions. In Jamaica, chaplaincy is budgeted as part of police-service delivery," he said.

This has led to the island having the largest cohort of certified chaplains outside of the United States. "In Jamaica, our peer counsellors are trained to the level of chaplains and are certified as chaplains," the JCF chief chaplain said.

In order to be an effective force among the members of the JCF - who are often exposed to traumatic events given the country's high crime rate - peer counselors are strategically placed in the various geographic divisions of the force. These counsellors are supported by a contingent of para-professional counsellors who are supervised by station chaplains. These station chaplains are usually voluntary pastors from churches which are located close to police stations.

At present, the JCF Chaplaincy Unit comprises the chief chaplain, who is supported by seven assistant chaplains. Then, there are the 150 station chaplains, 40 peer counsellors, and 1,500 para-professional counsellors.

From the day one is selected to join the constabulary, recruits are exposed to the chaplain, who also sits on the selection panel. Successful recruits have contact with the chaplain and his team throughout as he interacts and offers support to the soon-to-be police officers.

Mandatory training

Welsh said it is now mandatory for all graduates of the police academy to be trained as para-professional counsellors.

"Those, however, perform the role of what we call peer support. So just below the peer counsellors are the peer supports, and a peer support is a police officer with the training, but not specialising in counselling," he explained.

The JCF chief chaplain argued that, therefore, "it is virtually impossible for a police officer needing emotional support to have an excuse that they can't find someone".

He added: "It is likely that you are going on duty and the person who you are reporting to is a counsellor."

With such emphasis placed on the role of the Chaplaincy Unit in catering to the well-being and the optimum functioning of the force, Welsh stated: "We are saying we shouldn't have an officer who goes unnoticed or who wants some care and can't get it. At all levels, we have trained these persons in referral procedures, so if somebody comes to you and says, 'I'm suicidal', there is a referral procedure to get them all the way up to where they get help."

Providing support

Additionally, the Medical Services Branch of the Chaplaincy Unit delivers medical care to those members who cannot be helped through a faith-based approach. The Medical Services Branch consists of two consultant psychiatrists and two medical doctors, who are supported by social workers and psychologists.

"So if there is something that we can't deal with based on our faith-based approach and needs clinical help, we send them off to them," the police chaplain said.

In highlighting the important role the Chaplaincy Unit plays in the service delivery of the police officers, Welsh said: "We have purposefully integrated the chaplaincy services into policing, so we have a kind of proactive approach. In yesteryear, if you were to come to see the chaplain, it would be a stigma. But now, the chaplain gets involved in policing activities. You come to see the chaplain for an array of things, and in addition to that, the chaplain comes to see you."