Overview
The Chaplaincy Program has continued to grow and serve. The program is not just about making notifications, it is our chaplains serving the people and their families, and secondly assisting the public in tragedies. In 2020, we added three chaplains to our program, bringing our total number to 26 chaplains.
The Chaplaincy Program sponsors the National Police and Fire Chaplains Academy, a 60-hour training course which equips police and fire chaplains across the country with tools to serve first our responders and their families.
With the COVID-19 restrictions and CDC guidelines in place, our Chaplaincy Academy held the training in Spokane. Becoming a chaplain is a commitment to a lifelong learning, and being a student of the profession.
Our Senior Chaplain, Mike Neil continues in his role as the Regional Director for the International Conference of Police Chaplains in Region 2, (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska). Chaplain Neil leads a team of state representatives who work to ensure that first responder chaplains receive training and support to continue to serve effectively within their agencies.
The role of our chaplains serving the Washington State Patrol is to provide comfort, care, and a confidential listening ear to employees facing challenges both at home and on the job.
The Washington State Chaplain Foundation (WSCF) supports the work of our chaplain program. If you would like to contribute to the efforts of the WSCF, you can do so through the Washington State Combined Fund Drive by visiting https://give.wa.gov/search and search by charity code: 1480990.
If you know someone who has a heart to serve in this special capacity, please contact Senior Chaplain Mike Neil at Mike@mdneil.com.