Crisis Pastoral Care: A Police Chaplain's Perspective

by Thomas W. Shane

Author and chaplain Thomas Shane tells dozens of stories of what it is like to provide crisis pastoral care to those caught in the grim and shocking realities of life. His book brings a balanced, spirituality-based perspective to the dead center of heartbreaking human experiences––violent crimes, homicides, natural disasters, automobile accidents, suicides, child abuse, and more. The author has worked with law enforcement professionals for 30 years, and his life has been dedicated to the victims and families involved in tragedies, and particularly to the needs of police officers. His words will both encourage and instruct other helping professionals to be better prepared to deal with their own and other’s needs during a crisis situation. The book gives readers an insider’s view, not theoretical. Dr. Shane candidly reveals his own struggles, doubts and fears, along with the courage, faith and hope that sustains his life and work. He even addresses the complex and challenging task of offering care and spiritual counsel to the perpetrators of crimes. He worked with families and victims in Oklahoma City, after the bombing, and at Ground Zero, New York A book for front-line law enforcement officers, EMTs & the chaplains who work with them, grief counselors, psychologists & local clergy, and anyone interested in true crime stories. • General principles for working with police • Helping people deal with guilt and find forgiveness • The real and personal risks in crisis intervention • Death notification • Chaplaincy and terrorism • What is the pastor’s authority, and what is not

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very dark and disturbing book for its content. Although the story needs to be told it is a difficult book. Especially difficult at times for me as I too am a Police Chaplain. And while I do not nearly have the experience as Chaplain Shane the stories he tell are all too familiar to me as well. I too have had the deep responsibility of informing loved ones of the death of someone they love. I have witnessed way too much.

Yet I too, as Chaplain Shane, am awkwardly drawn in some way to this work. Chaplain Shane adds a few tips for my work through his own candid experience that I will likely take with me. Chaplain Shane however has a unique elegancy of crafting the words and painting the picture as if I were standing next to him.

While the book was an emotionally challenging read for me it was indeed an amazing read. I salute Chaplain Shane and thank him for his service to all of us.