Sample Chaplain Code of Ethics

Preamble

A chaplain enters the lives of officers, civilians, families, and survivors in some of the most charged moments of their lives. The trust extended to a chaplain is unearned at first — it must be honored without exception. This Code is not a list of rules; it is the working posture that makes the work possible.

A chaplain who breaks confidence ends not only their own ministry but the credibility of every chaplain who follows them into that agency. Hold this high.

1. Confidentiality

What is shared with a chaplain in pastoral care stays with the chaplain. This applies to officers, civilian staff, family members, victims, and witnesses. The only exceptions are imminent harm to self or others, child or elder abuse, and any disclosure required by law — and even then, the chaplain informs the person before disclosing whenever practical.

Confidentiality is not absolute privilege. Chaplains should know the legal privilege rules in their jurisdiction and never represent more protection than they can actually deliver.

2. Impartiality

A chaplain serves everyone in the agency — officers, civilians, command staff, support personnel — without favoritism or political alignment. Chaplains do not take sides in internal disputes, labor matters, or disciplinary investigations. The chaplain's posture is presence, not advocacy.

3. Scope of Care

A chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support. A chaplain is not a licensed therapist, attorney, investigator, or medical provider. When a situation exceeds the chaplain's scope, the chaplain refers to a qualified professional and follows up with continued pastoral presence — never abandonment.

4. Faith Conduct

A chaplain ministers across faith and no-faith lines. The chaplain's own faith is the source of their call, but it is not the price of admission to care. Chaplains do not proselytize, evangelize on duty, or condition care on religious response. When asked about their own faith, chaplains may answer honestly and briefly, then return the conversation to the person they came to serve.

5. Boundaries & Dual Relationships

Chaplains avoid romantic, financial, or business relationships with those in their pastoral care. Chaplains do not accept gifts beyond nominal value, do not solicit donations from those they serve, and do not enter into social-media relationships that compromise pastoral confidentiality.

6. Conduct on Scene

Chaplains operate at the discretion of the incident commander. Chaplains do not interfere with operations, evidence, or witness statements. Chaplains coordinate with peer-support, mental-health, and family-liaison staff and never freelance. Chaplains carry agency credentials and identify themselves clearly to all parties.

7. Reporting & Documentation

Chaplains keep general activity logs (incident type, time, jurisdiction) without identifying confidential content. Pastoral conversations are not documented in agency reports. Critical-incident debriefs are summarized at the level required by the agency without breaching individual confidence.

8. Continuing Education & Accountability

Chaplains pursue ongoing training in pastoral counseling, critical-incident response, moral injury, suicide intervention, and the specific operational context of their agency. Chaplains submit to peer review, supervision, and program-coordinator oversight. Chaplains who experience moral injury, crisis, or burnout step back, seek care, and are restored — not punished.

Signature

By signing below, the undersigned chaplain affirms that they have read, understood, and accept the above Code of Ethics as binding upon their service with this agency.

____________________________________ Chaplain (printed name)

____________________________________ Signature

____________________________________ Date

____________________________________ Program Coordinator