Chaplains give local officers the support they need

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- For over four years, the Starkville Police Department has had a program to help those who protect and serve also learn to cope.

When they put on the badge, police officers know they have a commitment to help the people in their community.

But sometimes they’re the ones who need help.

“It’s important for officers to have a support system simply because as an officer, there’s always high risk. High-risk when it comes to heart disease suicide, and other negatives, divorce rate and they need that output. They need someone to come in and stand in the gap, someone to come in and pray for them, someone to come in and encourage them,” said Chaplain Lanzy Carpenter.

That’s where chaplains step in. They give officers the support they need on the good days and especially the bad days.

“They use chaplains for death notifications when they come at the roll call meetings for prayer; they are excited. They always say chaplain so-and-so was there for prayer they are a great inspiration to some of the officers, and we have officers now that are godly officers the chaplains just helped lead their way to spiritual guidance,” said Captain Henry Stewart.

When tragedy strikes the community, chaplains reach out to those affected. But sometimes the affected aren’t who you’d expect.

“We see the uniform we see the badge and we think these are trained professionals that are doing their job, but these are men and women that have a heart they have a soul when they go through traumatic situations they need the support there too,” said Chaplin Johnny Buckner.

Chaplains also work to bring the community and law officers together.

“It keeps us connected to the community. Police officers can’t always speak for themselves, but we as a community should stand together always and speak for them. To be there for them because they are the ones that protect us 24 seven while we are resting, sleeping good, they are watching over us, and it’s just another way of showing our support toward them our love and our care for them,” said Carpenter.

The Starkville Police department will be installing two new Chaplains at the end of the month.