Oakland Police and Clergy Together

Oakland Police Department Chaplains' Unit 2651 73rd Avenue Oakland, CA 94607	Hotline: 510-777-8575 Coordinator: 510-777-8617
The Purpose
The Law Enforcement Chaplaincy is a ministry of Oakland Police and Clergy Together (OPACT), a California religious non-profit corporation. It is governed by a board of directors comprised of leaders of the faith community as well as members of the Oakland Police Department.
Specially trained chaplains serve as non-denominational ministers to meet the spiritual, emotional, and humanitarian needs of the officers, personnel of the Department, and citizens of Oakland.
The Function
Law Enforcement Chaplains provide "ride along" assistance to patrol officers and work alongside them during the various functions of their demanding occupation.
Chaplains are "on call" 24 hours a day to assist during major disorders, disasters, or traumatic situations or any time an officer requests personal counsel. Chaplains assist officers by counseling crime victims.
The Chaplaincy serves as a liaison with the community at large by demonstrating the empathy law enforcement has for the victims of crime or disasters.
Members prepare and conduct appropriate presentations for in-service training to law enforcement personnel.
A chaplain may be called upon to assist staff making notifications to families of police personnel concerning serious injury or death.
Qualified chaplains are available for critical incident stress debriefing.
Law Enforcement Chaplains provide a resource for funerals, memorial services, and other ceremonial events.
The Necessity
Police personnel work under high–stress situations that can contribute to a growing list of tragic statistics:
• A critically high divorce rate, now at 80%.
• Many officers are plagued with unresolved grief, anxieties, and conflicts.
• Job burnout is common and Department morale suffers.
Many people in the City of Oakland recognize and agree that more needs to be done to assist with the stress–filled profession of law enforcement.
There are multiple options now available to reduce the deleterious effects of police work but none as unique and sound as allowing spirituality to share the emotional load and bring peace into any situation.
The Law Enforcement Chaplaincy believes that faith is the answer to the human dilemma. Thus, the chaplains accept their role as a sacred duty and a mission from the community of faith to law enforcement personnel and their families.
A law enforcement chaplain is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by pager, radio, or telephone. Contact police dispatch (510-777-3333) or the Oakland Police patrol desk (510-238-3455) to obtain the services of a chaplain.
The Goal
To help meet the ever-increasing needs of those public servants who protect and preserve the safety of all the citizens of Oakland.