I was flooded with emotions of thanksgiving as I watched a video recorded April 11th narrated by TPS Chaplain Wendell Gibbs describing a Prayer Walk that took place in all 16 Divisions of the Toronto Police Service. Faith leaders from across Toronto joined hands with police officers of different ethnic and faith backgrounds to pray simultaneously in all 16 Divisions across TO for peace and unity and reconciliation. I remembered sharing a meal with Wendell and his wife during our CPCA ATS 2022 in Niagara Falls and hearing the passion in Wendell's voice as he shared with my wife and I his pl ..read more

Belleville Police Service honors Chaplain Brad Beale by naming the patrol meeting room as the Padre Brad Beale Wellness Room Here is story to encourage every police chaplain in Canada who may be emotionally struggling to prove their value and worth to a police administrator. It takes time to develop rapport with superior officers but eventually the ministry of presence will become a witness that demonstrates the degree of emotional and spiritual care chaplains provide to police officers, police staff, police administrators, and their families. Are you serving a police agency with relevance ..read more

Since launching our CPCA website in 2021, I have authored far too many stories that included memorials of active police officers whose sudden deaths have been mourned by police agency families across Canada. On Monday Feb 5th, the news of the sudden death of 46 year old BPS Constable Lucien Ethier created a shock wave that reverberated through BPS headquarters and our satellite station like none other (click on the photo above to see the BPS FB post). To know "Luch" is to love Luch; through 20 years with BPS he has generated the respect of his peers many times over. An avid hunter, fisherman ..read more

First, we are excited to share the news that the CPCA Executive has appointed RCMP "E" Division Chaplain David Field as our new CPCA Registrar. David's appointment as a new Executive Officer is immediate, and his duties as Registrar will commence upon the transfer of equipment and supplies/records from our previous Registrar, Hillar Alkok. David will work closely with President Bruce Ewanyshyn and Secretary/Treasurer Phil Sovdi fulfilling all functions of the Registrar including distribution of notices regarding annual membership dues, receiving and issuing membership renewals/cards, receivin ..read more

It's been several hours since over 30 police chaplains from across Canada gathered on Zoom to listen to Eugene Dufour, a man who has counselled trauma victims for over 43 years. I continue to receive emails from some of these chaplains expressing how impacted they were today by Eugene's presentation. I believe that most in attendance, including myself, wiped away tears more than once while listening to Eugene's compassionate voice as he provided example after example of traumatic circumstances and how he navigated them to bring comfort and resolution to the survivors and care for the First Re ..read more

The early beginnings of the CPCA were rooted in the Ontario Police Chaplain Association (OPCA) which formed in 1983. In 1992, the OPCA was transformed into the current Canadian Police Chaplain Association (CPCA). One of the co-founders was police chaplain Allan Higgs who served as one of the first Presidents of the CPCA. Allan also served as a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) in various roles including as a Director for several years. In 1995, the ICPC awarded Chaplain Higgs the prestigious title of "ICPC Chaplain of the Year." As a leader within the CPCA, All ..read more

RCMP "K" Division Chaplain Michael Rolph recently resigned from the CPCA Executive Officer position of Past President. Michael served as CPCA President from 2018 to 2020 and it was under his leadership that I first entered the CPCA as an elected 2nd Vice President. Michael's knowledge of rules and procedures for conducting meetings as "Chair" was second to none. He was always well prepared and his approach was well laid out. I benefitted directly under his leadership as the "youngster" and respected his leadership abilities. In response to his resignation email, I shared with Michael my opini ..read more

As police chaplains, the most gratifying act of service is the opportunity to engage in heart-to-heart, one on one conversations with the police officers whom God places in our path. We loiter with intent and hope that we can share words of encouragement that will brighten their day. Occasionally, through chaplaincy, relationships develop that extend to persons and organizations that have an association with a police agency. A decade ago, I received permission from my Police Chief Ian Grant to attend the Westman & Area Traditional Christmas Dinner for the sole purpose of waiting on tables ..read more

These are the words of Windsor PS Chief of Police Jason Bellaire (pictured above beside Chuck) recorded in the Windsor Star; “I’ve had very personal things that he has helped me with, and I’ll never be able to thank him enough,” said Bellaire. “I say that to a lot of people who leave this organization. When they retire, I’m happy they’re going because they earned the right to retire. But I’m sad to see him go. Sometimes we say everybody is replaceable, but I think Chuck is one of the exceptions.” CPCA Member Chaplain Chuck Congram has served the women and men of the Windsor PS and their famil ..read more

Toronto PS Chaplain Wendell Gibbs is passionate about providing emotional & spiritual support to police officers, unifying faith leaders, and spearheading prayer initiatives in Toronto and surrounding areas. On November 30th, the fruit of Wendell's labour came to the forefront during a gathering of approximately 275 persons, with a 50/50 split between police officers and faith leaders converging for prayer, support and fellowship. The event was supported by the TPS Chaplaincy Wellness Service and the Canadian Black Clergy and Allies (CBCA) with chaplains also present from other services s ..read more