[Adopted 7-15-2015 by Ord. No. 106-2015]
The position of Police Chaplain for the City of Scranton Police
Department is hereby created as follows. The position will be a volunteer
position with no salary and/or benefits. The position of Chaplain
shall be under the control of the Chief of Police.
Any person or persons appointed as Chaplain shall have undergone
background investigations. Chaplains shall receive Police Chaplain
training/certification and shall receive certified Police Chaplain
credentials in accordance with the rules and regulations of the City
of Scranton Police Department.
The duties of Police Chaplain shall include, but not be limited
to, assisting the City of Scranton Police Department in death notifications;
providing comfort to victims, families and officers at traumatic incidents;
giving confidential counsel to Police Department personnel; providing
a moral/ethical foundation to police personnel; providing referral
and resource assistance as requested; and providing pastoral functions
at special events and ceremonies or other religious events as requested.
He/she may assist with critical incident stress debriefings; serve
as a liaison with other local clergy; serve as a liaison with police
families in the event of a line-of-duty injury or death; and any other
duties that may be assigned by the Chief of Police.
Any person appointed as Chaplain shall serve in that capacity
without rank or salary.
A person appointed as Chaplain shall serve for a period of one
year from the date of appointment and shall continue to serve in that
capacity until he/she is either terminated or reappointed with the
recommendation of the Chief of Police.
The Chief of Police may recommend to the Mayor persons that
he/she believes meet the qualifications of Police Chaplain as well
as the rules and regulations of the City of Scranton Police Department
with reference to Chaplains, if any. All applicants for the position
of Chaplain shall be reviewed by the Chief of Police, Senior Police
Chaplain and Chaplain liaison to determine their qualifications in
accordance with this article, and said reviewers shall make recommendations
to the Mayor regarding the appointment as Chaplain. The Mayor shall
appoint Chaplains in accordance with this article with the advice
and consent of City Council.
The creation of the Police Chaplain position and the Police
Chaplain program is in no way a recognition, establishment or promotion
by the City of Scranton of any particular religion or religious sect.
No officer, employee of the Police Department, or a member of the
public will be mandated or required to participate in the Chaplain
program or to avail themselves of the Police Chaplain's services,
as the same will operate on a strictly voluntary basis.
