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It
was difficult enough for Father Nouza
to attend the academy. For a clergyperson who has a family to
support, taking time off to attend an academy is almost financially
impossible. Last
year PEP assisted two chaplains, Father Carl Faria,
another Roman Catholic priest and Chaplain of the Monterey County,
California Sheriff’s Office, and Reverend Jerry Godsey,
an Assembly of God minister and Chaplain of the Imperial County,
California Sheriff’s Office, to graduate from approved academies. Chaplain
Godsey writes, “You can never fully understand what peace
officer is going through or how to help him or her without some
understanding of their world. Just going on ride-alongs
does not get you into their heads and ways of doing things. I
have gained more respect from the deputies I work with. There
is a real distinction between civilian personnel and sworn personnel.
I believe that attending the academy has helped with that divide.” He
also says, “In my position as Crime Prevention Supervisor, graduating
was invaluable. It opened doors as far as details I am able to
work. Most important, it opened doors of ministry to the department
I serve. As deputies opened up to me on a professional level,
the personal side followed. Now they have figured out that I am
there to serve them, not the sheriff. Communication has opened
up allowing me to meet their needs.” Chaplain
Faria writes, “I was the oldest cadet at age fifty-one but
I was also a Catholic priest and there had never been a cadet
there with that second label. The cadets were immensely supportive
and encouraging. The instructors were all police officers and
they couldn’t have been more pleased that I wanted to do so much
to help them.” He
continues, “When you think you are doing enough with your life,
God finds a way to say, “Here is a challenge I think you can handle.”
I grew and became a better person than I could have imagined.
After all, our life is His and our work is to be in His hands,
His feet, His arms and His love to those who pay such a price
to protect us.” PEP
also has funds to assist experienced police chaplains who are
clergypersons to take college courses which have some content
in ethics. PEP’s trustees are willing
to consider applications for such college courses or for full
academy training from chaplains anywhere in the PEP
encourages you to clip this article and duplicate it and send
it to any experienced clergy chaplain. To
apply for either or both of PEP’s programs,
write to:
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