The Rev Steve Parker reflects on his upcoming retirement 

"It’s been an emotional process discerning whether to retire as Lead Chaplain for Staffordshire Police, but this is the right time.

Police Chaplaincy has been an amazing ministry for the past eight years and a big part of my life.

It has been a privilege to journey alongside so many colleagues in times of both joy and deep sadness.  This ranges from blessing a wedding, open days, the 3Cs (Cuppa, Cake and Chat) to those very sad occasions of officiating at funerals and Memorial Services. Throughout this, I am proud to call so many friends. 

I thank Staffordshire Police for allowing me such free access to all areas of the Force and for the friendships made.  Also, for allowing me to attend so many meetings that support colleagues and help move the Force forward.

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.

Sarah Jeffrey from Devon & Cornwall Police writes:

With heavy hearts, we said goodbye to John Ewington today.  John is our longest serving chaplain currently (closely followed by Philip Darby at Newton Abbot!).  Whilst the normal goodbye ‘do’ wasn’t possible, John graciously agreed to attend a local station, where he received a thank you certificate signed by Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, and presented by Superintendent Toby Davies.  Several members of the chaplaincy team were able to attend virtually, along with several inspectors who had staff that John has supported over the years. 

John began looking after Bideford station, and also supported Holsworthy, Torrington and S. Molton.  About two years ago, another chaplain moved to Bideford and John graciously moved his support to the rural stations of Holsworthy, Torrington and S. Molton to allow that chaplain the opportunity to support Bideford. Thinking of others is one of John’s strong suits.   In addition to providing excellent support and a real sense of humour to the officers and staff in his care, John also has some exceptional talents.  One includes his skill and love of fly fishing and he is a member of the D&C police fly fishing association.  In fact, whilst John supports his three stations, some of his best chaplaincy work has been done while standing knee deep in water, a fishing pole in his hand, talking to officers about the stresses and strains of the job.  John is also an exceptional artist.  It’s not unusual after a really lengthy chaplaincy meeting for some of us to find a small artistic drawing of ourselves which John has created whilst listening to whomever is speaking.

John has heard many stories over the years, and shared in the joys of things like officers getting married, having babies or being promoted.  He has also shared in the tragedies and challenges such as officers and staff dealing with deaths, including child deaths, divorce, illness and of course most recently COVID.

John is never one to shy away from a quick comment or remark which always makes us laugh.  He is also not afraid to question and find out why things are the way they are.  His inquisitive mind and nature have helped us sometimes look at our processes and review why indeed we do things the way we do.  Whilst we know that John won’t miss some of our technological requirements such as electronic expense reimbursements or online learning, he will be truly missed by all of us and we hope he will miss us too.