INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE CHAPLAINS (ICPC)

LAW ENFORCEMENT CHAPLAINCY & THE NEED

Established in 1973, The International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) was formed after an incident where three IRS Agents were killed in the Washington DC area and the need for many more trained, qualified, and competent chaplains to serve our law enforcement individuals and agencies in their emotional, spiritual, and moral needs.

Today, more than ever, due to the tragic nature of the law enforcement profession, agencies need better qualified spiritual guidance, counseling and assistance for their officers, their families, and their communities. No one is confronted with more situations that demoralize and create emotional, mental, and spiritual burdens than a law enforcement officer, which also affects the officer’s family.

Each day, an officer is faced with potentially dangerous situations as they encounter the baser elements of society. The officer may have to make split-second decisions that are just and right, yet still take huge tolls on them. Many times, an officer has need for outlets to express his or her frustrations and problems to one who can understand the circumstances of the law enforcement world, who is with them, and has been on those calls with them. An officer may need to discuss his/her issues and questions with someone who understands what (s)he is up against yet is detached enough not to be emotionally involved or in a position that might affect the officer’s career.

Often, the officer’s own clergyperson or religious advisor, although trained in the ministry, is not necessarily abreast of the particular problems and stresses of a law enforcement officer. In such cases, a trained chaplain could listen empathetically, advise calmly, and offer other appropriate assistance when such assistance is desired.

On call twenty-four hours a day, the law enforcement chaplain purposes to be ready to respond and is an excellent layer to have in your overall EAP program for the health of your individual officers, staff, and their families.

Key words: Service & Presence. A chaplain desires to be with the officers regularly so relationship and trust can be built over time, and then to respond when a member of the department is injured, or an incident occurs where their presence is needed and requested.

The International Conference of Police Chaplains would like to assist you in:

  • Developing a quality chaplain program for your agency
  • Providing the training specifically needed for competent chaplains
  • Training an officer in your agency as a Chaplain Program Liaison

If you would like information on how to set up a Chaplain Program in your agency, or to enhance or improve your current program, I would love to meet with you and your staff, no costs associated.


CONTACT
ICPC Wisconsin State Rep,
Chaplain Archer Leupp
[email protected]
715-938-4375 (cell)
321 N Noquebay Ave.
Peshtigo, WI 54157

ICPC Corporate Office
[email protected]
850-654-9736 (office)
850-654-9742 (fax)
PO Box 5590
Destin, FL 32540
http://www.icpc4cops.org/

 

ADDITIONAL ICPC WEBSITE INFORMATION
What Law Enforcement Chaplains Do:
http://www.icpc4cops.org/chaplaincy-intro/chaplains-work.html 

What the ICPC Is and Isn’t:
http://www.icpc4cops.org/about-us/icpc-is-isnt.html

Academic Credentialling:
http://www.icpc4cops.org/credential/index.html

 

Author:  Archer Leupp is an affiliate member of the WCPA and is the WI State Representative for the ICPC. He is the Chaplain to Marinette County Sheriff's Department, Oconto County Sheriff's Department, Marinette Police Department, Peshtigo Police Department, and the DNR Northeast Region.