MB First Nations Police Service - Troop 3

MFNPS Troop 3: Week 12 of 26

The CPCA exists to connect, equip, encourage and support police chaplains across Canada. We celebrate diversity through our CPCA members who are spiritual leaders from different faith backgrounds: Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Indigenous, and Christian. As police chaplains, our desire is to be able to connect and support police officers and their families when the opportunities arise. Law enforcement officers come from different backgrounds and faith communities, so as chaplains we acquire knowledge and understanding to sensitize to their needs. A celebration of diversity was the case this week when I had the privilege of spending five days instructing the young officers you see in the photo above.

While my focus each day was on teaching the recruits law enforcement content, I appreciate the liberty MFNPS management gives me to discuss overall wellness: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. A healthy police officer is a productive police officer who remains in control when a situation goes sideways. I understand what it is like to experience repeated trauma, hostility, violence, to the point that it strikes down friendships, family relations and even marriage. PTSD can be crippling; compassion fatigue can be debilitating; moral injury can be character changing. As a police instructor and a police chaplain, I am responsible for sharing more than just course content. Policing today is different than it was even five years ago. Those of us who served in law enforcement and are now serving in chaplaincy have strategies we need to share that helped us to overcome and experience longevity in our careers. I'm so thankful for Police Chief Jason Colon, S/Sgt Kristen Tompsett and many other MFNPS managers who speak with their officers regarding mental health and who allow others such as myself to have a voice to share the keys that have strengthened me to succeed in law enforcement. With studies reporting 1 in 4 police officers struggling with thoughts of suicide, and increased reported suicides of police officers, those of us in chaplaincy from law enforcement backgrounds need to share our stories of resilience.

In addition to some class discussions, I had some meaningful conversations with recruits during coffee and lunch breaks regarding police chaplaincy, employee wellness teams, peer to peer support groups, psychologists and the whole team approach to wellness. There were opportunities to pray in private for a couple of officers, and several have approached me about receiving a gift I offer which is the Project Sword book that is available to police chaplains across Canada at no charge from Ronald Mostrey, President of the FCPO. If any member of the CPCA would like to receive these peace officer focused books containing the NIV version of the New Testament, please send me a message through the Contacts page on our website and I'll hook you up.

I was delighted during the week by visits from a couple of MFNPS patrol officers who graduated from Troop 2. There was also a surprise birthday treat left for me when the recruits heard that my first day with them was my birthday. Police chaplains love to hang out with police recruits and police officers so doing so on my birthday was a wonderful birthday gift.

Special thanks to the MFNPS Police Chief, Inspectors, S/Sgts, Sgts, and Corporate Derek Smoke (far left in top photo) who help me feel like my time with them is a homecoming. I'm looking forward to my second week of instructing these amazing recruits in August. Thank you God, for continuing to open doors to police chaplains across Canada to share strategies of strength and faith with police officers throughout our nation.

I'll conclude with a quote from our July 17th CPCA webinar presenter Lisa Boehm on "Resilience." Resilience "isn't just about bouncing back - it's about bouncing forward with the right knowledge and tools to navigate stress, grief, and adversity. When we equip ourselves with practical strategies and emotional awareness, we create a strong foundation for growth, healing, and sustained well-being".

Speaking of knowledge and tools and practical strategies, please consider joining police chaplains from across Canada in Vancouver from October 20 - 24 for the CPCA Annual Training Seminar. For more information and how to register for this incredible opportunity for training and connection, please click on this ATS link. This training is available to both CPCA members and non-members.

Warmest regards,

Bruce Ewanyshyn

CPCA President

ICPC Director of Region 1

MFNPS Patrol Constable Maia - graduate from MFNPS Troop 2 in for a visit