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suggest that effectiveness and performance could and ‘probably ought to be’
measured, and proposed that a paid chaplain to co-ordinate chaplaincy might be
useful.

Question 17 – Is there room for a wider interpretation of ministry?

In response to this question four of the chaplains interviewed believed there was
room for a wider interpretation of ministry. It was suggested that it would be a
‘good thing’ to have ‘more chaplains from outside the Church of England’. In this
regard the CPA was proposed as a possible opportunity for ministry. One
chaplain stated that ‘it does not matter who does chaplaincy’, and identified ‘lay
pastoral teams’, and ‘mutli-faith chaplaincy’ as opportunities for development.
Another respondent questioned whether ‘the term “chaplaincy”’ as a designation
of ministry was ‘the correct one for this (the police) service’. Another supported
this view stating that ‘there is a need to understand what “chaplain” means’ if we
are not to ‘undermine the credibility of the chaplain’. Likewise ‘accreditation’ by
‘the sending church’ and an official mandate were understood to be essential.

By contrast one interviewee suggested that ‘some formalised training is essential’
for a ministry role, and highlighted that even those chaplains who were not
ordained had gone through theological training. This was supported by the
opinion of another who expressed concern ‘about people doing it (ministry)
without some form of rudimentary training’.

Question 18 – How can ministry within the police service be improved?

There was significant consensus across those interviewed with five chaplains
identifying practical support as a means of improving ministry within the service.
This support included; stimulating ‘increased use of the ministry’ by creating a
‘higher profile’, communicating the availability of chaplains by better advertising
and giving them ‘more recognition’, improving ‘information’ and ‘education’ about
their role, and having a proper discussion about their ministry. It is suggested that
the police service is fortunate in ‘getting a professional service for free’, and in this
regard three respondents felt that paid chaplains may be the way forward along
the ‘healthcare’ or ‘military’ models. The fact that chaplaincy had been assessed
as beneficial on a national level was also significant, particularly given that ‘the
best model appears to be chaplaincy with a full time availability’, as this could
‘ensure a chaplaincy grounded in the service’.

Question 19 – What is the future for ministry within the police service?

Looking ahead all of the respondents stated that chaplaincy should continue, with
it being suggested that all forces should have chaplains, as ‘there will always be
(a) need, so always a place for spiritual help’ within the service. However there
were numerous suggestions aimed at improving the provision of the ministry.
Better engagement with those involved in police ‘operational planning’ and
‘community engagement’ was highlighted, and assigning chaplains to individual
police stations as ‘sign-posters’ was considered a good way forward. Chaplains
are an available and free resource, and it was suggested the police service has to
be much more proactive in promoting the ministry. It was questioned however