Purpose of the Chaplain Program

The Troy Police Chaplain Program was established in July 2000.  Clergy from the Troy community were recruited to act as volunteer members of the Department.

Police Chaplain Programs are recognized as a vital component of a department's response to employee stress.  Police Chaplain's serve as an important resource to officers, civilian employees, and their families. 

The Troy Police Department believes that the Police Chaplain Program is consistent with the Department's philosophy of providing an excellent work environment for its employees and comprehensive service to the community. 

Responsibilities of Chaplains

• Resource to staff for both professional as well as personal concerns
• Available to provide confidential counseling services to Department personnel and their families
• Offer comfort and ministerial services to families of deceased members of the Department
• Conduct and/or participate in religious services for a deceased member when requested by the family
• Visit sick or injured police personnel
• Attend Department graduations, promotion activities, award ceremonies, dinners, social events, etc., upon request
• Provide invocations and benedictions at approved Department events
• Provide expert answers for religious questions
• Ride along with on-duty police personnel
• Provide liaison with other religious leaders in the community
• Meet with other Police Chaplains in the area and act as a liaison with those departments represented
• Respond, upon request, to serious accidents, major incidents, and other crisis situations, including death notifications
• Other duties and responsibilities as delineated by the Chief of Police or his designee

Police Chaplains have no police powers or authority.  They are not armed and do not wear uniforms.  They are authorized to wear the official Police Department insignia and logos on their civilian clothing so that they may be readily identified as a Troy Police Chaplain.

The Chaplain program is open to any ordained member of the clergy who either lives in Troy or is the leader of a place of worship located within the City of Troy.  We currently have five Police Chaplains.

The Chaplain program is overseen by Sergeant Robert Kowalski.  Inquiries and coorespondence should be directed to the Police Chaplains, in care of Sergeant Kowalski.