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Volunteer Police Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Additionally, you will support and encourage BaptistCare staff and volunteers, document pastoral ... Willingness to undergo a police check Essential Competencies: * A personal commitment to growth in ...

Volunteer Police Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do volunteer police chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer police chaplain in the United States is $63,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chaplaincy volunteer do?

A volunteer police chaplain provides emotional and spiritual support to law enforcement officers, victims, and community members during crises or traumatic events. They may offer counseling, comfort, and assistance, often working closely with police departments and requiring training in crisis intervention and confidentiality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Volunteer Police Chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Police Chaplain, you typically need a background in pastoral care or ministry, strong ethical grounding, and often ordination or endorsement from a recognized religious body. Familiarity with crisis intervention techniques, law enforcement protocols, and potentially certifications in counseling or critical incident stress management are valuable. Exceptional listening skills, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and discretion are crucial soft skills in this role. These abilities help chaplains provide meaningful emotional and spiritual support to officers and community members, especially during high-stress or traumatic incidents.

How does a Volunteer Police Chaplain typically collaborate with law enforcement officers and the community?

Volunteer Police Chaplains work closely with law enforcement officers by providing emotional and spiritual support during stressful incidents, debriefings, and community outreach events. They often respond to critical incidents such as accidents or tragedies, offering comfort to both officers and affected civilians. Chaplains are also involved in building bridges between the police department and the community by participating in public events and fostering trust. Collaboration is key, as chaplains must maintain confidentiality while working alongside officers and other support personnel to ensure holistic care.

What does a chaplain do in a police department?

A police department chaplain provides spiritual support, counseling, and crisis intervention to officers, victims, and community members. They often assist during emergencies, offer emotional aid, and may participate in community outreach and training programs. Chaplains typically have relevant religious or pastoral training and work closely with law enforcement teams to address emotional and spiritual needs.

How do you become a police chaplain?

To become a police chaplain, individuals typically need to have strong communication skills, a background in counseling or ministry, and often complete specialized training or certification programs. Many departments require volunteers to undergo background checks and attend chaplain training sessions before serving in the role.

What qualifications do I need to be a chaplain?

To become a volunteer police chaplain, candidates typically need a background in ministry, counseling, or related fields, along with strong interpersonal skills. Certification or training in crisis intervention and familiarity with law enforcement procedures are often required or preferred.

What is the difference between Volunteer Police Chaplain vs Police Officer?

AspectVolunteer Police ChaplainPolice Officer
CredentialsTypically no formal law enforcement credentials; often requires religious or community service backgroundRequires police academy training, certifications, and law enforcement credentials
Work EnvironmentProvides spiritual support at crime scenes, hospitals, and community eventsPatrols neighborhoods, responds to emergencies, enforces laws
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, community policing programsMunicipal, state, or federal police departments

Volunteer Police Chaplains offer spiritual and emotional support without law enforcement authority, focusing on community and victim assistance. Police Officers have law enforcement powers, perform patrols, and enforce laws. Both roles serve the community but differ significantly in credentials, responsibilities, and work environment.

What are Volunteer Police Chaplains?

Volunteer Police Chaplains are individuals who provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to law enforcement officers, their families, and sometimes members of the public. They are typically trained clergy or laypersons who volunteer their time to assist police departments during critical incidents, stressful situations, and community events. Their role is non-denominational and non-intrusive, focusing on offering comfort, counseling, and guidance regardless of a person's faith background. Volunteer Police Chaplains also help bridge relationships between the police force and the community, fostering trust and understanding.
More about Volunteer Police Chaplain jobs
What cities are hiring for Volunteer Police Chaplain jobs? Cities with the most Volunteer Police Chaplain job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Police Chaplain jobs? The most popular types of Police Chaplain jobs are:
What states have the most Volunteer Police Chaplain jobs? States with the most job openings for Volunteer Police Chaplain jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Volunteer Police Chaplain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Volunteer Police Chaplain jobs are:
Infographic showing various Volunteer Police Chaplain job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Volunteer Police Chaplain

City of West Jordan Volunteer

West Jordan, UT โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Summary

Under supervision of the Officer Wellness Sergeant, provide spiritual, emotional, and psychological support to law enforcement officers, their families, and the community, playing a crucial role in crisis intervention and community outreach. Responsibilities span a range of emotional, spiritual, practical, and ethical support functions that reflect a commitment to holistic care and the inherent dignity of every person, officer, or civilian.


Supervision Exercised

None


Essential Duties

  • Assist with death notifications, conduct memorial and funeral services, and offer crisis intervention during emergencies like accidents, natural disasters, and line-of-duty deaths.
  • Provide compassionate listening, offer moral guidance, crisis support, and foster community trust, all while respecting diversity and maintaining confidentiality.
  • Help coordinate faith-related programs, provide spiritual guidance, and ensure that diverse religious needs are acknowledged within the department.
  • Responding to natural and accidental deaths, suicides and attempted suicides, family disturbances and any other incident that in the judgment of the Watch Commander or supervisor aids in accomplishing the mission of the Department.
  • Responding to all major disasters, such as natural disasters, bombings and similar critical incidents.
  • Provide faith-based and non-denominational care to officers, staff, their families, and civilians. They offer prayer or spiritual guidance when requested and participate in memorials or ceremonies that mark significant departmental moments.
  • Participating in in-service training classes.
  • Willingness to train others to enhance the effectiveness of the Department.
  • Provide spiritual and emotional support to victims and survivors of critical incidents, criminal violations, and other traumatic events or crises.
  • Build trusting relationships between the police and the community through participation in public events, community outreach, and facilitating partnerships with faith-based organizations.
  • Providing liaison with various civic, business and religious organizations.
  • Promptly facilitating requests for representatives or leaders of various denominations.
  • Making referrals in cases where specialized attention is needed or in cases that are beyond the chaplain's ability to assist.

Qualifications

  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Written endorsement by the minister or religious leader of their faith where he/she is a member.
  • Relevant educational and personal experience in spiritual counseling and sacred teaching.
  • A working understanding of police work and the ability to relate to police personnel in a manner which puts them at ease when assisting them with their personal and spiritual needs.
  • Above reproach, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
  • Emotionally mature, with ethical integrity, and utmost discretion.
  • Belong to a recognized religious community that affirms their readiness for ministry.
  • Have a good reputation in the community.
  • Successful completion of an appropriate-level background investigation.

Certifications/Licenses:

  • Valid Utah Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Local mental and physical health resources, as well as community religious leaders.
  • Basic Knowledge of major world religions and faith traditions
  • Trauma response, grief care, suicide intervention, and cultural sensitivity.

Skill with:

  • Deep listening and empathy
  • A nonjudgmental and calming presence
  • The ability to minister across diverse spiritual or non-spiritual backgrounds
  • The capacity to remain steady and compassionate in times of crisis
  • Operating modern office equipment including computers with applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Teams, and Word.

Job Posted by ApplicantPro