INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 29, 2025 – The Austin, MN Police Department (APD) Chaplain program has been awarded a $1,000 grant by the National Police Association. The program is co-administered by Salt and Light Partners, a Minnesota nonprofit.
In partnership with Salt & Light Partners, APD has established a Chaplain Program that pairs local pastors with law enforcement officers, creating a unique avenue of encouragement, counseling, and care.
The program was designed to ease the burden of what can often be an emotionally demanding profession. Pastors from several local churches now ride along with officers, offering support during shifts and making themselves available for on-call needs. Their assistance ranges from accompanying officers on difficult calls, such as delivering death notifications, to being a compassionate presence after traumatic incidents.
The program is not only designed for public interactions but also to support officers’ well-being. Law enforcement professionals often encounter trauma daily, which can affect their mental and personal lives. Chaplains provide a safe, confidential space for officers to process stress, relationship challenges, and other personal struggles.
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