International Conference for Police Chaplains underway in Mo-bay

MONTEGO BAY — The 38th annual International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) is underway at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James.

The five-day conference began on Monday, July 11, 2011, and is being held under the theme: ‘Rest, Recharge and Receive: A Chaplain’s Therapy’.

Assistant Commissioner of  Police and Chief Chaplain for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Gary Welsh told JIS News that some  200 chaplains, inclusive of law enforcement officers, were registered for the conference, which should see them accessing training in three levels of chaplaincy.

These include the Basic Level, Senior Level and Advanced Level, Mr. Welsh explained.

“At the end of this conference, we are going to graduate persons who are able to offer Psycho Pastoral support to law enforcement officers across Jamaica,” he pointed out.

Mr. Welsh said he is pleased that the conference is being held in Jamaica this year, after being staged in the United States for 37 years and once in Canada. He appealed to the participants to grasp all they can from the forum.

Representatives from the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya, Grand Cayman and Jamaica are taking part in the conference.

Meanwhile, Chaplain attached to the East Palo Alto California Police in the USA, Sheren Champion told JIS News that she is looking forward to learning a lot from the conference.

By ALDEEN CAMPBELL, JIS reporter