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(14% of total respondents and 18% of those answering yes to the question).
Chaplains need to be aware of this culture, general policing issues, and the
importance of confidentiality within the service. Likewise chaplains needed to be
aware of the frustrations and pressures of policing, show sensitivity to what the police
have to deal with, and be aware that police staff can be less trusting than members
of the general public. It was also suggested that an awareness of policing would
enhance the credibility of chaplains, help them to relate to police staff better, gain
their respect, and win their trust. It was also felt that it would help the chaplains be
involved with community engagement initiatives.

For those who answered no or who were not sure, the responses highlighted that it
was more important that the chaplain was appointed by God for the task. An
awareness of policing may be helpful to the chaplain but was not necessary to
perform the role, and in any case the chaplain would soon identify the needs of police
staff by working alongside them.

Question 20 - Would you seek support from a minister from a different
denomination / faith background to your own?

Not Stated Figure 12
3%

No
35%

Yes
62%

Respondents were asked to provide reasons for their answer. For those answering
yes to the question, the following comments were made. Some felt that they would
be prepared to go to a chaplain of another Christian denomination, but not another
faith background, particularly if the chaplain were open minded and not
‘denominationally dogmatic’ (14% of total respondents, and 22% of those answering
yes to the question). Others would consider seeking support from a minister from a
different faith background if they shared an understanding of God. It was stated that
ministry should be about relationships and having the right person within the role,
and that a key to understanding other faiths is essential for cohesion and embracing
difference.

For those answering no to the question, the responses were also varied. Some
declared that they were happy with their own faith, and would rather seek support
from their own church in the first instance. Some responses precluded seeking
support from a minister of another faith on a point of principle, as other faiths had a
different ethos. One respondent declared that only Christ is the way of salvation, and
another stated that not all faiths could be true as there is only one universal truth.