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seeking the support of a chaplain (A2:Fig 5), and these included their inaccessibility,

their inapproachability, and their lack of presence. An absence of publicity concerning
the ministry, and indeed a lack of knowledge about how to contact the chaplains

were also significant (A2:Q7). While benefits are derived from the ministry such as
the provision of independent support and advice regardless of a person’s faith

background (A2:Q8), some areas of criticism were also identified. These included a
lack of definition concerning the chaplain’s role, their limited presence and inability to

properly assist staff members (A2:Q4). It is felt chaplaincy could be more proactive,
and developmental opportunities need to be explored (A2:Q8). Significantly, and
indeed unsurprisingly the CPA was identified as an alternative option for pastoral

support based upon the personal relationships, and peer support it offers (A2:Q4).

The second key theme relates to the policing organisation and how it supports those

of religious faith. The vast majority of respondents (93%) outlined that the police
service had never sought their views concerning chaplaincy arrangements. Likewise

69% highlighted that neither had the service sought to identify their faith needs in
general terms, despite the fact that 90% felt that the service should offer such faith

support, and that 66% had actually found such support within the organisation
56
(A12:Fig 8) . A little over half of those surveyed feel the police service is a
supportive environment for those of religious faith (55%), and they identified the
positive role of the CPA, along with the support, tolerance and openness of the
constabulary to issues of faith and belief. For the 45% of respondents who feel the

police service is not supportive there is discerned a more negative policing culture
that is dismissive, blind, intolerant, and lacks understanding regarding religious faith

(A2:Q15, Fig 10). In identifying how faith support within the police service could be
improved respondents proposed that support and recognition for Christians could be
enhanced, and other faith groups could be catered for. It is felt likewise that

chaplaincy arrangements could be improved and that the police service needed a
wider perspective regarding ministry. In general terms the respondents also

suggested that awareness of faith issues should be improved across the service and
the mechanisms of faith support better co-ordinated (A2:Q17).

56 Interestingly there is no real consensus as to whether it is preferable to seek faith support outside of the police
service with 45% stating it is preferable and 48% stating it is not (Fig 9).