A new resource is coming to West Jordan.

The West Jordan Police Department decided to start the Volunteers Police Chaplain program to help provide 24/7 confidential support to officers, their families and the community during a crisis.

What they will offer is a “ministry of presence,” said Gary Cox, executive officer of West Jordan police department. The West Jordan Police Department will recruit six to eight volunteer chaplains who will assist during critical incidents, attend roll calls, ride along with the patrol officers, give prayers at events and provide counseling.

Gary Cox devoted 40 years as a police officer. He now serves as the Executive Officer in the West Jordan Police Department. (Linda Steele/City Journals)

Chaplains are not police officers. They will not do the job as a police officer. They will be trained as spiritual and emotional support providers for victims. Some of their responsibilities will include assisting officers in notifying family members in the event someone has been seriously injured. They serve as a resource for department members if incidents occur like serious accidents or deaths. They provide referrals for professional and ecclesiastical support if needed. They will attend department ceremonies and social events as requested.

The police department will provide regular training to the volunteers to make sure they are well trained and can handle the duties they are assigned, make sure they stay current on department issues and work closely with police officers to help with the quality of life in West Jordan.

Chief of Police Jeremy Robertson said this program will help provide support for officers and employees and bridge the gap between departments and community.  The chaplains will ride with the officers to be present, listen and give spiritual support. 

“While I have been out on too many death scenes and investigating the families suffering, they've had to reach out to spiritual leadership. This program will help people to respond to those people in need,” Robertson said. 

The program will fulfill a wide variety of duties in the agency that will relieve the officers from tasks that do not require sworn in authority. Some of the tasks include neighborhood patrols, vacation watch, public assistance at city events, fleet vehicle maintenance, animal shelter assistance and training division assistance. This is the first time this program has been offered in West Jordan. It is working in other cities within the Wasatch Front. 

If you have any questions or want to join this program you can call Gary Cox at 801-256-2060 or visit wjordanvounteer.applicantpro.com/jobs.