Police officers in Germany expect an increasing need for pastors and psychologists after difficult operations with dead and injured people.
“In view of the increasingly challenging deployment situations, even in the supposedly normal patrol service, the need will continue to increase from the point of view of the police union,” said Vice Chairman Michael Mertens of the German Press Agency. “Not every officer shakes off such traumatic events by taking off their uniform.”
Pastoral workers and psychologists are deployed as needed after accidents or crimes to look after emergency services, those affected or relatives. A week ago, they took care of police officers and rescue workers in Thuringia after the bad car accident that left seven dead. According to the police, they were present when the news of the death was delivered.
“It’s not a sign of weakness to share distressing things with someone”
In the evangelical church alone, there are 50 full-time police pastoral workers nationwide. There are as many on a part-time basis and on a voluntary basis, said the chairman of the Conference of Evangelical Police Chaplains, Pastor Uwe Köster. According to the Catholic Church, there are 87 women and men in the state police, and 12 in the federal police.
According to the police union, there is “the employer’s obligation to regularly check the supply situation and, if necessary, to expand it in a timely manner”. It is equally important that emergency services actively take advantage of offers. “It’s not a sign of weakness to share difficult things with someone,” said Mertens. It must also be everyday practice to address such topics freely and without concern within the departments.
According to Mertens, the so-called police psychological service and pastoral care have been expanded nationwide. “The police officers have asked themselves what situations like serious accidents, bodies found, experiences of violence or the delivery of death notices do to you.”
