Administrative Services Division

Force Chaplain – Auxiliary Inspector Cecil Symes

	Miramichi Police Force Chaplain, Reverend Cecil Symes with his wife Shirley.

A police chaplain is an ordained member of the clergy who functions as a minister to police officers, their families, and civilian staff. As an ecumenical and interfaith ministry, the Chaplain offers religious and moral guidance, pastoral care, counseling and referral, and various forms of worship and community service.

While the Police Chaplain is not intended to be a substitute for an officer's local religious leader or congregation, he or she is especially receptive to the problems and stresses peculiar to the work of law enforcement. Chaplaincy is an essential tool in the arsenal of public service.

Duties of Police Chaplain

The duties of the Police Chaplain include the following:

• Provide counsel to city police officers, to families of police officers, and to civilian staff
• Provide referral information for professional counseling resources
• Visit sick and injured members of the Force in hospital and at home
• Conduct or assist at funeral services involving the death of a member or member's family
• Provide primary support systems in initial stages of crisis incidents
• Active member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains
• Deliver line of duty death notifications, when necessary
• Serve as liaison with community clergy conditions
• Participate in public services with prayer and/or other forms of public involvement
• Serve as a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team