The day after I arrived in first appointment as a minister, in Swindon, I received a phone call from the Force Chaplain to Wiltshire Police asking if I’d consider becoming a volunteer chaplain. That was back in 2007. I asked him to give me 6 months to settle in and then ask again. He did and I agreed.
When I was thinking about ministry, I had no idea such an opportunity would present itself. But I am so pleased it did and I am so pleased that I said yes. As chaplaincy has been an enriching part of my ministry.
One day I might write down everything I experienced in chaplaincy. There are some good stories to tell involving fast cars, not so fast cars, teddy bears, interviews under caution, lots of laughter, some tears. Then there's my reputation for keeping things "Q" (There's a superstition among many officers that you never say "It's quiet tonight" as that will be the trigger for it getting busy. But you can say about it being "Q".) But this blog isn’t the time or place. At least not today.
I don’t remember exactly when I started as a chaplain, but it was sometime in 2008. Now after 11 years I have made the decision to finish as a volunteer chaplain.
One of the things I discovered about being a volunteer chaplain to Wiltshire Police was that there was no model to follow. It was up to me what I made of it. Initially I was assigned to the Road Policing Unit based out of Swindon and I soon learned that the most effective way of being a chaplain to them was to accompany officers on shift. Turning up and hanging about the station wouldn’t work. By accompanying an officer, a rapport was built. And it was a ripple effect. One officer would tell another “He’s ok to talk to.”
It was the model of chaplaincy I used until I was taken ill in 2016.
I’ve never known to what extent chaplaincy made any difference to any of the officers I spoke to. Certainly, I was never approached by an officer wanting a chat. That said, during the sometimes hours in a car officers would open up about concerns with “the job” and occasionally home life. (Sitting next to someone in a car somehow enables conversations to flow.)
On returning to full time ministry at the start of 2018 I was contacted by the Force Chaplain and he asked whether I’d like to continue. I said yes. But since then have done very little because my model of chaplaincy doesn’t work any longer as I’ve not got the mobility. I’d be a liability to any officer if I went out in the car with them. (There’s no expectation of having the same level of physical fitness as an officer. But an officer cannot function fully if the chaplain is on two walking sticks!) There’s been no pressure put on me by the Police to do more. And in any event, I’m a volunteer. But I’ve been carrying guilt around that I am chaplain to the Chippenham police station and they never see me.
Reluctantly a couple of months ago I reached the decision that I should resign. I sent off the email and it felt the right thing to do.
Today, the force chaplain called round to see me to collect my kit and I’ve been surprised how sad it feels. An aspect of my ministry that's been interesting and at times exciting has closed.
I posted on Facebook this morning that today was my last day and I was really touched by some comments:
“I have been privileged to see you minister with Wiltshire Police David. You always encouraged Officers by being present even during weekend busy night shifts. Thank for your spiritual guidance. You'll be misses. All the best and thank you.”
“Thank you for your service David..... the troops really appreciated the kindness and support you gave them, and I really enjoyed going on patrol with you. You'll be missed..... especially when you bought in the biscuits!”
One of the traffic officers I knew quite well nck named me "the Crime Fighting Rev". Well, it's time for the Crime Fighting Rev to hang up his badge.
