God's force in the police force

By Kate Arkell BBC Suffolk

Available for carol concerts, funerals, memorials, bar mitzvahs...

There are now 20 Christian chaplains attached to the Suffolk police force available for officers to talk to.

The first police chaplain was introduced in 1988 and the service grew in 1994 when 15 were recruited.

They usually have day-jobs in their parishes, such as the police HQ chaplain Bruce Wakeling who is also the vicar at Rushmere St Andrew.

He said: "In some way we're a safety valve. We're not there to evangelise or to promote the Christian faith."

Police chaplains are unique. They're not spiritual welfare officers, they're there to support staff and be alongside them at a time of need.

They're becoming part of everyday life for serving police officers in Suffolk and Det Ch Supt Stewart Gull has been paying tribute to their work:

"The police chaplains have become a familiar sight around the county at each of the main stations.

"They are here to offer support to all staff and officers, to assist them in their demanding roles.

"The number of police chaplains has increased year-on-year as the benefits of their involvement have been recognised."

Many of the chaplains combine their police work with day jobs in the church.

The Reverend Bruce Wakeling is the chaplain at Suffolk Police Headquarters in Martlesham Heath as well as being the vicar at All Saints Church in Rushmere.

He said what they offer police officers is very different to what they offer their parishioners:

"In some way we're a safety valve. We're not there to evangelise or to promote the Christian faith.

"Indeed we're chaplains to anyone who wishes to speak to us regardless of their religious beliefs or whether they have none at all.

"We're there so they can get in touch with us if they need to.

"To have a chat about things that might be spiritual or might be to do with work.

"We're not part of the command structure - we don't have hire and fire over them!"

Reverend Wakeling said there isn't always a queue of people waiting for his services. That though, he believes, is a good thing:

"One wants to be there, but in a way it's best if you're not used.

"It may not mean that people are completely happy, but they don't particularly need that outlet."

Being the chaplain at Police Headquarters means he is sometimes called upon in a ceremonial capacity, particularly at Christmas for the force's carol concert and at funerals or memorial events for officers.

So what does the future hold for the Suffolk Police Chaplaincy service? Bruce believes things will get busier.

"I see the job as being around for people if we're needed and, however policing might change, I believe our job will stay the same.

"I do think we might get busier, I would have thought that, as the chaplains are better known to people, they're more likely to be in touch with us."