The following stories from the SPD Community Chaplaincy program illustrates the kinds of effects that they have had on people's lives, and the benefits to the police officers who made the phone call.   If you are a patrol officer, you can take an active role in future stories by calling (206) 650-9399 when dispatched to a highly emotional crisis call. 

    One Sunday afternoon, a young man in his twenties shot himself in the bedroom of his home, while his live-in girl friend and several other friends were in the living room watching TV and visiting.  The officers dispatched to the scene called the Community Chaplaincy phone number, and a team of two chaplains responded within 20 minutes.  The chaplains met the traumatized friends and family members at the hospital where they helped everyone present deal with the tragedy.  The chaplains' compassionate presence helped prevent angry outbursts between the girl friend and the family of the victim.  In addition, the police officers were saved the trip to the hospital, preserved their emotional safety, finished processing the scene in a timely manner, and felt good about helping to provide for the trauma needs of the young people present in the house at the time of the shooting.

     One morning, Jane went to her elderly mother's apartment and discovered that her mother had died unexpectedly during the night.  Within 20 minutes of a phone call by the officer dispatched to the scene, a community chaplain came to be with Jane, who was very distraught and overcome with grief.  The coroner and officer were able to finish their investigation and leave in a timely manner, while the chaplain stayed with Jane and her arriving family until the funeral directors arrived.  Jane was very appreciative of the chaplain's presence and practical assistance during this very traumatic time.

     On a beautiful warm summer afternoon, a young African American man drowned near his home on Lake Washington.  Police divers were dispatched to the scene but were not successful in finding the body.  Therefore the grieving family hired their own divers and held an ongoing vigil for several days, upset at the perceived lack of police response.  A Community chaplain responded to the scene to find a lot of anger and frustration directed at him by the grieving family and friends.  When recognized as a respected community leader, the chaplain was able to help bring understanding, calmness, and perspective to the tragic situation.  Due to the nature of this case, the chaplain made multiple follow up visits over the course of several weeks.  The family so appreciated his help that they asked him to do the funeral six (6) months later when the body was found.