CopShock: Second Edition
Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
by Allen R. Kates, MFAW, BCECR
Religion-Oriented
Faith-Based Support
Chaplains are often trained in counseling
officers and their families about the aftermath of trauma. Groups that are
affiliated with a particular religious outlook also offer comfort and
support.
American Muslim Law
Enforcement Officers Association (AMLEOA)
AMLEOA, Inc., is a
nationwide effort, within the law enforcement community, dedicated to fostering
respectful relationships between the American Muslim community, its attendant
institutions, and the law enforcement agencies of the United States of America
and its Territories.
The website offers news and events happening in the
community, and discusses issues of the day. For better understanding and
tolerance, this website provides a much needed resource.
Go to: http://www.amleoa.com. Write:
AMLEOA, PO Box 24584, Brooklyn, NY 11202. Phone: 718-998-1549.
Fellowship of Christian Peace
Officers
Teaching the Gospel of Jesus, this organization
offers training in basic ministry skills. With more than sixty active chapters
in the U.S., the Fellowship provides a source of peace and nourishment for the
soul.
Go to: http://www.fcpo.org. Write: Grant
Wolf, Executive Director, 1801 Bailey Avenue, PO Box 3686, Chattanooga, TN
37404-0686. Phone: 423-622-1234.
International Conference of
Police Chaplains (ICPC)
When chaplains work in the police
world, they help everyone regardless of religious background including law
enforcement officers, their families, other department members, the community
and the incarcerated. The ICPC provides information, support and training
opportunities to members of the organization and offers assistance to police
agencies seeking to start or improve their chaplaincy program.
With
members in every U.S. state, numerous Canadian provinces and several other
countries, many chaplains are trained in counseling officers and their families
affected by trauma. The website provides the e-mail addresses of chaplains in a
number of U.S. cities.
The website also mentions a number of important
books. Visit www.Amazon.com for descriptions and
ordering information for Chaplaincy in Law Enforcement: What It Is and How
To Do It; Mastering Law Enforcement Chaplaincy; and Law
Enforcement Funeral Manual: A Practical Guide for Law Enforcement
Agencies.
Go to: http://www.icpc4cops.org/. Write: ICPC, P.O. Box 5590, Destin, FL 32540-5590. Phone:
850-654-9736.
Jews In Law
Enforcement
The National Shomrim Society’s purpose is to
offer comfort and support to those of the Jewish faith in law enforcement. Their
motto back in 1958 was: “So that police, fire and public safety officers of the
Jewish faith may join together for the welfare of all.” And that guiding
principle still rings true. The organization has branches in about 20
states.
The website provides a Jewish Q&A, a chaplain’s message,
upcoming events, information on their annual convention, a chat room, member
news, links to many member chapters, and more.
Go to: http://www.nationalshomrim.org.
Write: National Shomrim, c/o Marty Turetzky, 264 East Broadway, #C1905, New
York, NY 10002. Phone: 212-777-7809.
A personal website created by a
Jewish cop offers support, and explores the meaning, philosophies and ethics
behind Jewish cops. It is a call for tolerance and understanding. Among other
things, the site links to Judaism 101, a course in the basics.
Go to: http://www.angelfire.com/on/JodyHomePg/jewishcops.html
With similar aims and objectives of support and
understanding, the United Kingdom has an organization called the Jewish Police
Association. Go to: http://www.jewishpoliceassociation.org.uk
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
Sacramento (LECS)
Founded in 1977, and run by senior
chaplains Mindi and Frank Russell, Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento is a
nonprofit organization providing nonsectarian crisis support to law enforcement
and the general community around the Sacramento area. As a result of its
achievements over the years, the Chaplaincy has been cited as a national model
for communities throughout the U.S., and departments wishing to expand their
chaplaincy program or start one should check out this website and
organization.
The chaplaincy provides chaplains from diverse backgrounds,
including Christian, Jewish and Muslim, to help law enforcement officers, first
responders, and civilians in crisis.
It offers many programs on what it
takes to become a police chaplain. These include classes on stress management,
death notification, PTSD, burnout, legal liability, confidentiality, ethics,
responding to a crisis situation, the police family, substance abuse, suicide,
and officer injury and death.
Go to: http://sacchaplains.com. Write: Law
Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento, 10399 Rockingham Drive, Sacramento, CA 95827.
Phone: 916-857-1801.
Peace Officers for Christ
International (POFCI)
The main purpose of the organization is
to support cops and their families. As well as an electronic journal, the group
offers conferences, couples’ retreats and other programs.
Go to: http://www.pofci.org. Write: POFCI,
3000 W. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 426, Santa Ana, CA 92704. Phone:
714-426-7632.
See also: Publications
For
Chaplain/Rabbi Cary A. Friedman’s book, Spiritual Survival for Law
Enforcement.