2023 Conference Classes

Basic Chaplaincy Courses

101 – STRESS MANAGEMENT

Knowing how to manage stress, both for the Chaplain, and those whom the Chaplain serves, is one of the most important and basic skills a Chaplain can bring to the table.  Taught by Chaplain Gerry Griffith, a Certified Chaplain, Certified Trainer for the National Organization for Victim’s Assistance, and Critical Incident Stress Management, Chaplains will acquire the basic knowledge and skills necessary to increase their effectiveness in their ministry.

103 – BURN OUT, VICARIOUS VICTIMIZATION AND COMPASSION FATIGUE

Sr. Chaplain Dave Clemmons of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, will present an in-depth look at how Chaplains can suffer from Burn Out and Compassion Fatigue.  Chaplains, if unaware of the warning signs, can become vicarious victims of the same scenarios the people they are helping are suffering from.  It is imperative that Chaplains learn these basic signs and symptoms to protect themselves.

105 – Legal Liability and Confidentiality

This course will cover the basics that every Chaplain needs to know about where the lines are they should not cross to avert potential legal liability from their actions as a Chaplain.  Learn how Chaplains are covered by State laws and the circumstances where Confidentiality legally applies and where it does not.

107 – Ethics

Vigo County, Indiana Chaplain and Deputy Dan Willis will present the range and depth of ethics in the role of a Law Enforcement and/or Jail Chaplain.  There are many warning signs and pitfalls that can easily trip up even the most experienced Chaplain and this course till help bring these issues to the forefront.  Anyone involved in Chaplaincy needs to know this material in order to be the best Chaplain they can be.

109 –  CRISIS RESPONSE – CRITICAL INCIDENTS

This course is an in-depth look into a Chaplain’s Response and Understanding of how to best help and serve people going through a Crisis or Critical Incident.  This includes ministering to Law Enforcement Officers and how “Secondary Wounding” can occur and how to identify and avoid it.  The course is taught by Chaplain Tom Kendall of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, who is also certified by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation in Crisis Intervention and Law Enforcement Intervention, and is Vice President of the Indiana Crisis Assistance Response Team that trains and responds using the National Organization of Victims Assistance (NOVA) Model.

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111 – OFFICER INJURY AND DEATH

Just about every Law Enforcement Chaplain, sometime in his or her career, will likely be called to the situation of an Officer Injury, or worse, an Officer’s Death.  Every situation is different and Chaplains need this basic training to be prepared to deal with these terrible situations should they ever occur.  For this reason, the trainer is as important as the training, and we are blessed to have the highly experienced Chaplain and Police Officer, Mel Keaton, of the Lawrence Police Department, to share his experiences and knowledge on this subject.

113 – CHAPLAIN RIDE-ALONG GUIDELINES

As both a Chaplain and Deputy Sheriff, Dan Willis will provide an in-depth understanding of what Chaplains need to know about the perspective of an Officer who has a Chaplain riding along with them on-duty, as well as the do’s and don’ts Chaplains need to know when riding with an Officer.  Ride-alongs are not joy rides, but opportunities to connect with Officer to earn their respect and trust.  Every Law Enforcement Chaplain should spend time riding with the Officers they serve and this training will be invaluable when doing so.

SUMMARY OF BASIC CLASSES

These Seven Classes make up half of the courses necessary for certification as a “Basic Certified Chaplain” by the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Conference.  The other seven will be presented at Next Year’s Conference.

201 – MINISTRY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES

Law Enforcement Families often deal with unique stresses and issues that civilian families usually do not deal with.  LE Families deal with the same issues as other families, but knowing the unique issues and needs of these special families is critical in developing a successful Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and Ministry.  The class will be taught by Chaplain Chuck Stout with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Jail Chaplaincy.  Chaplain Stout, in his career has also served as a Corrections Officer and a Police Officer and will share his unique knowledge and experiences with students in this class.

203 – CHAPLAIN’S SELF DEFENSE

When one is involved in Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, and particularly Jail Ministry, one never knows when a Chaplain be required to defend him or herself in a potentially dangerous volatile situation.  Although such incidents may be relatively infrequent, one must be prepared and properly trained to protect themselves in the event a confrontation escalates.  We are again privileged to have Retired Lt. Eddie Moore teach this hands-on training that could potentially save a Chaplain from injury or even more serious consequences.

205 – SHERIFF’S PERSPECTIVE ON JAIL CHAPLAINCY

This is a unique opportunity to hear from and ask questions of a panel of current Elected County Sheriff’s and their perspective on developing, growing and maintaining a Jail Chaplaincy.  One of the Sheriffs on the panel will be recently elected Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush.  Prior to being elected Sheriff, he served as the Patrol Captain under former Sheriff Mark Bowen.  Other Sheriffs have been invited to join Sheriff Quakenbush in sharing their unique perspective that will undoubtedly give every Chaplain new perspectives and insight on how best to serve in this ministry.

207 – CULTURE – THE OCCULT & WITCHCRAFT

As a chaplain, we are required to minister and serve people in our communities that may or may not have the same spirtitual world views as we do.  One of the most challenging is when we are called to serve a person or family who is involved in the occult or witchcraft, including Wiccan and other forms.  Chaplain Dan Willis will teach this class that brings a better understanding of the occult in our society so Chaplains will have current information as well as the experiences and knowledge from a seasoned Chaplain and Deputy Sheriff, Dan Willis of the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department.

209 – POST SHOOTING TRAUMA

The trauma that surrounds a post-shooting event can be devastating to all parties involved.  Often, Officers involved in a line-of-duty shooting event where someone is seriously injured or dies, affects the Officer as deeply as it may other family members and friends of the shooting victim.  If an Officer is the victim of a shooting or other violent life-threatening event, the Chaplain may be called to minister in a very different way.  In our goal to provide the most comprehensive training to Chaplains, and particularly experienced Chaplains, we offer this very serious class led by Chaplain and Police Officer Mel Keaton of the Lawrence Police Department.  Chaplain Keaton has considerable insight and experience of both sides of this difficult situation and is sure to provide a stimulating and very information class for all Chaplains involved.

211 – DEATH & DYING

Thanatology is the study of death and dying.  One of the most common events Chaplains are called to are to minister to people who are near death, or the families of people who have died in a variety of situations.  Chaplains often accompany Officers when making death notifications.  Sometimes what not to say in these situations is as important. or even more important, than what should be said.  SCC President and Sr Chaplain Mark Fidler of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department will teach this class.  Chaplain Fidler has many years of experience in this area and teaches this class to all new Officers at the Sheriff’s Department.  The classes should spark some serious discussions about a topic many often avoid.

213 – CYBERCRIME

Cybercrime is one of the fastest growing crimes in today’s world and is the topic of news stories almost daily.  Knowing how these crimes operate and how to protect yourself, your department and your family from these crimes can be invaluable to you as well as protecting the confidentiality of the Chaplaincy and your ministry.  Because these crimes keep changing and evolving almost daily, it is important to become knowledgeable of the most recent types of cybercrime that is waiting to attack.  Deputy Don Whitehead of the Howard County Sheriff’s Department will be teaching this class again this year.  He has considerable experience in this area and always gets very positive reviews of this class whenever he teaches it for the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Conference.

SUMMARY OF SENIOR CLASSES

These Seven Classes make up half of the courses necessary for certification as a “Senior Certified Chaplain” by the Sheriff’s Chaplaincy Conference.  The other seven will be presented at Next Year’s Conference.  Basic Certification is required before applying for Senior Certification.