Dear All,

Just a few lines as I stand down as National Police Chaplain this coming Sunday to say both a thank you and goodbye.

I have, in various guises been around Policing for 45 years and have [largely] enjoyed that time immensely and consider it a privilege that both my vocations have been, for the most part, a ‘paid hobby’. Ironic though it sounds the one constant is change!

There have been huge changes in Policing and huge changes in Police Chaplaincy. Over the past 20 or so years Police Chaplaincy has grown tremendously both in terms of quantity, diversity and especially in its scope and engagement with the service. It once would have been commonplace to have described Police Chaplains as ‘guests of the Police’ whereas now chaplains have a unique role and are very much part of the Police family. It has been one of my tasks to be an advocate for the role and work of chaplains across the service as we have developed chaplaincy and it is a great encouragement that today Police Chaplaincy is valued and held in high regard across the service.

On the 3rd April, the Board of Police Chaplaincy UK surprised Canon David Wilbraham with a small leaving 'do' ahead of his retirement later this month. 

David had been meeting with the Chair of Police Chaplaincy UK for a handover meeting all day and thinking the final thing on the agenda for the day was a simple photograph with the two of them to mark the day, members of the Board surprised David. Colleagues had driven from Durham, Warwickshire, South Yorkshire and Oxford to say their goodbyes to the National Chaplain.

David was presented with a certificate from Police Chaplaincy UK; the citation read "With deep appreciation for your visionary guidance, exemplary leadership skills and dedication to Police Chaplaincy." Certificates were also presented from Thames Valley Police where David served as Lead Chaplain and from the National Police Chief's Council to mark his contribution to policing as whole.

For many David is Police Chaplaincy. He has been the National Chaplain full time since 2018 but before that carried out the role alongside the post of Thames Valley Police Lead Chaplain. On the 23rd April he will retire after a lifetime of dedicated service to policing both as an officer, staff member and chaplain. A virtual card and generous collection were also presented to David with over 150 contributions from all members of the policing family. 

David was a former Police motorcyclist, and was ordained in 1988 and held parish ministries in the North West of England, was a Prison Chaplain at a Young Offenders Institute and was involved in a large scale Eastern European Aid project in Romania. In 1994 he moved to Surrey Police as their Welfare Manager specialising in the impact of Trauma on Police personnel.

Here is the latest newsletter from NPMD giving you interesting information and pictures regarding NPMD2021 in Lincoln as well as information about the event planned for next year. You can also read a Christmas message from David Wilbraham

National Chaplain, Canon David Wilbraham MBE, joined with the Police Federation National Chair, John Apter to observe the national 1 minute Silence. On Saturday 17th April HRH Prince Philip was laid to rest and the country fell silent at 1500, Chaplains across the country led their Forces in commemoration on Friday and David & John kept the silence to Police Fed HQ on the Saturday.

National Police Chaplain, Canon David Wilbraham MBE, offers words of comfort and hope as he reflects on this difficult year and the many who have lost loved ones.

David recorded this message for the Police Federation and you can view it here

Rev'd Dom Jones, Hampshire Constabulary Lead Chaplain and Police Chaplaincy UK Trustee, recorded a message for his own officers and staff reflecting on the challenges, but also the unexpected positives of the last 12 months and you can view that here

David Wilbraham, Adrian Gatrill and Simon Evans attended the Police Federation Conference in Bournemouth this week.  This was a really useful networking event and it was encouraging that chaplaincy is recognised by the Police Federation as making a difference.  One Federation Delegate came up to the stall and said "Chaplains are great, you are doing a fantastic job, all over the place. Thank you!"