Abstract
Chapter one is discussing the introduction and summary as well as the research methodology of this study. The introduction describes the identified problem statement of this study. Like the title indicates this study is looking at the necessity of the permanent chaplaincy in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
From time to time certain questions are raised about the right of existence of the chaplaincy in the police. These questions are:
• Why is there a permanent chaplaincy in the SAPS?
• Why must the government pay permanent chaplains to minister to SAPS employees?
• Why can’t the local pastor/assembly take care of the spiritual needs of SAPS employees?
The constant questioning whether or not it is necessary to have chaplains on a permanent basis in the SAPS and what role they play in the police, forms the basis of the problem statement and thus the focus point of the discussion of the research of this study.
Chapter two describes the heart and the soul of the chaplaincy in the SAPS. This will be done by looking into the history of the chaplaincy and from the very first temporary chaplain until it later became a permanent position in the police with continual growth upto today. This chapter is also looking at the status of the chaplain in the SAPS as well as the chaplaincy as a international phenomenon. The research is also focusing on the role of the permanent chaplain in the SAPS.
This chapter is also discussing the criticism against the chaplaincy as a full time job in the SAPS as well as the answers on these questions from the SAPS national chaplaincy. Chapter two is also looking at the appointment of the chaplain in the SAPS and his heavy load of spiritual programmes in the police.
Chapter three is a theological discussion of the role of the chaplain as a spiritual counselor with spiritual counseling as the main subject of this chapter. Further is the researcher also discussing the chaplain as counselor in the following counseling areas:
Marriage counseling
Trauma debriefing
Crisis counseling
Counselor in conflict situations
Pre marital counseling
Marriage enrichment
Family and child counseling
The role of the chaplain as counselor is thoroughly research in this chapter as well as the significant role that he is playing in the lives of the police members.
Chapter four is looking at the vision and mission of the SAPS as well as the vision and mission of the chaplaincy. What role does the chaplain play in abovementioned visions and missions? To understand and rate the role of the chaplain the researcher will be looking at both the vision and mission of the SAPS and chaplaincy.
The researcher will also be looking at spiritual growth in service delivered unto police members. This can only be measured through the statistics of pro-active spiritual programmes and other spiritual activities of the chaplaincy presented to police members.
The role of the chaplain as well as his role with his colleagues in the SAPS (The Employee Assistant Services – social workers, psychologists and chaplains) will be researched in their joined strive to reach and better the goals of the vision and mission of the SAPS.
Chapter five is looking at the theological fundamentals of the chaplaincy in the SAPS. This consists of:
• Theology of religions
• The fact of the multi religious context in the SAPS
• The origin of religions
• The creation purpose, fall and restoration of mankind
• What role are the police and the chaplains playing in the context of Biblical theology.
Can the permanent chaplain make a difference in the SAPS today, and other questions are looked at from a theological perspective in this chapter.
Chapter six discusses the conclusions that has been made of this research study and present certain recommendations and make some valuable proposals. Then the researcher concludes with a summary and some final remarks.
Dr. Dennis Erasmus
Prof. Jan du Rand