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ii) The Christian Police Association

As a source of pastoral support the Christian Police Association (CPA) is significant.
Consisting of a non-denominational network of local associations across the UK it is

co-ordinated by a National Council. Its principle purpose is to ‘glorify Jesus Christ in
the Police Service’, and its mission to ‘encourage and support Christians’,

‘communicate....the truth, message and hope of the gospel’, and to build bridges
between the ‘Christian community and the police’ (www.cpauk.net). Although a

detailed exposition of the CPA is beyond the scope of this work there are some
significant features that should be identified.

Firstly, the CPA works on the basis of an overtly Christian narrative that is essentially
evangelical in character. Indeed the CPA perceives a distinctive ‘mission’ among the

communities the police encounter (Axcell 2010:28). This stands in contrast with the
approach of police chaplaincy which maintains a neutral and perhaps more broadly
pastoral agenda. Indeed if chaplaincy bears Christian witness by ‘being’, then the

CPA does so by ‘doing’. Secondly the CPA is a staff association that is run by police
officers and staff for police officers and staff. Even though some of its membership

may have specific ministry skills or ministerial experience, the CPA can properly be
understood as a lay movement which is neither hierarchical nor clerical in character.
50
Thirdly the CPA asks its members to sign-up to a Basis of Faith declaration , which
identifies the Bible as ‘the only complete authority in all matters of faith’

(www.cpauk.net). This can be problematic from a Catholic theological perspective in
that ‘tradition’ is not recognised as a complimentary source of revelation and
authority (Cat §80).

At a local level the CPA does provide significant pastoral support to police employees

and the leadership of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary positively promotes the
association with other staff support groups within its internet web-site. Within the

constabulary the CPA states its aim is to ‘support Christians.....and encourage them
to live out their Christian lives in the workplace’ (www.devon-cornwall.police.uk). To

this end the association engages in various projects and initiatives. The CPA holds
regular meetings and police employees are permitted to attend these within their

50 The CPA is part of the Evangelical Alliance that arose partly in response to a perceived Catholic revival in the
1830-40’s (www.eauk.org).