The Volunteer Police Chaplains Program was created by Chief Alan Stewart in 1986, with the appointment of the late Pastor George Golden of the First Church of God as the Odessa Police Department’s first police chaplain.

Under now retired Pastor Jerry Thorpe of Temple Baptist Church, the program greatly expanded beginning in 1993, and now is among the largest police chaplains programs in Texas and the nation.

The Police Chaplains program is currently under the direction of Reverend Roy Jones of the West University Church of Christ and is staffed by chaplains from many various church denominations. These chaplains provide a valuable and much appreciated service to the police and fire departments, other public safety organizations and, most importantly, to the citizens of the community.

Volunteer chaplains receive training in police regulations and procedures to increase their understanding of the police role in society. The ministers are able to provide specialized counseling to officers and their families as needed.

The chaplains also assist in the notification of the death or serious injuries suffered by a loved one. They are subject to call out for critical need incidents such as barricaded subjects, civil disasters and other traumatic occurrences.

Useful links:
  Common Reactions   Things to try