Chaplain Lew Cox
Chaplain Cox has served with the Des Moines Police Department in Washington since 2001. Des Moines is situated at the southern tip of the Tacoma/Seattle International Airport and boasts a population of approximately thirty thousand people. The city features a distinctive topography, with an extensive shoreline on the west and homes valued in the millions. To the east, International Boulevard stands as a significant contributor to the city's crime rate.
The Role of a Law Enforcement Chaplain
Police chaplains serve a vital role by offering emotional and spiritual support to police officers, their families, and crime victims. They frequently attend scenes of tragedy to provide solace and prayers to those impacted. Their support contributes to the police force's effectiveness and boosts the morale of officers facing challenging circumstances. Additionally, chaplains facilitate access to resources and counseling for officers in traumatic or stressful situations, which can help mitigate burnout and subpar job performance.
Law Enforcement Training Experience
1. Crisis Intervention Training. Training to equip officers with the skills needed to identify, respond to, and de-escalate stressful or high-risk situations.
2. Conflict Resolution Skills. Techniques used to help resolve disagreements and reach mutually beneficial solutions. (e. g. active listening, problem solving)
3. Communication Skills. Abilities that enable effective exchange of ideas and understanding between people. (e.g. verbal and nonverbal communication, empathetic listening)
4. Mental Health Awareness. Understanding different mental health disorders, their symptoms, and how to provide support to those affected. (e. g. depression, anxiety, PTSD)
5. Trauma Informed Care. Knowledge of how trauma can affect individuals, families, and communities, and how to provide compassionate and appropriate care. (e. g. recognizing signs of trauma, providing trauma-informed interventions)
6. Cultural sensitivity involves respecting and interacting positively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures while taking into account cultural norms and differences, including religious beliefs and practices.
7. Self-Care Strategies. Techniques are used to reduce stress, build resilience, and maintain well-being. (e. g. mindfulness, exercise, healthy eating)
8. Critical Incident Stress Management, or CISM, is an intervention protocol developed specifically for dealing with traumatic events.
9. Police Chaplains play a vital role in organizing line-of-duty death memorials and providing marriage ceremonies and funerals for department personnel, their families, and retired officers.
Law Enforcement and Suicide Prevention
This program investigates why police officers resort to taking their own lives. It is concerning that many police officers choose to leave the force on their terms. Police officers face various dangers, including perpetrators, accidents, heart attacks, stress-related diseases, and suicide. Surprisingly, the most significant risk for law enforcement may not be pursuing criminals. This program investigates why police officers resort to taking their own lives.
The Physiological Effects of Trauma and Criminality
