Father David Epps, chaplain for several local law enforcement agencies, was recently designated as a Certified Master Chaplain by the International Conference of Police chaplains. The certification, the highest offered, was conferred recently in Columbus, Ohio at the ICPC International Convention.

To achieve this designation, a law enforcement chaplain must have a denominational endorsement, be recommended by the head of the agency, have a minimum of 10 years experience as a chaplain, complete several hundred hours of in-service training, have at least five years pastoral experience, submit a master's certification paper and be interviewed by the certification committee.

Epps has served as chaplain for the Peachtree City Police Department for more than 10 years and also serves the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center and the Senoia Police Department. Formerly, he served as chaplain for the Atlanta Division of the FBI.

In addition to earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, Epps was the Honor Graduate from the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center and is certified and sworn as a peace officer by the Georgia Peace officer's Standards and Training Council (POST). He also is certified by POST as a chaplain, as a general instructor, and as a defensive tactics instructor, and was awarded a ribbon for each certification. He also has held ICPC designation as a Certified Basic Chaplain and as a Certified Senior Chaplain.

Epps is qualified in firearms as a “master” with the 9mm automatic pistol. He also is certified as an instructor of the expandable tactical baton and regularly instructs other police officers.

He attended the FBI Chaplain's School in Quantico, Va. and received a certificate in Advanced Pastoral Studies in the Field of Law Enforcement Chaplaincy from the Academy of Parish Clergy. He received his field training, with the endorsement of Fayette County Sheriff Randall Johnson, at the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Johnson also swore Epps in as one of the few reserve deputy sheriffs in Fayette County with full police powers.

Epps was brought into the chaplain's ministry by the Rev. John Weber, Public Safety chaplain in Peachtree City and pastor of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church. “John is the perfect example of a caring and competent chaplain,” Epps said. “I first encountered his ministry in 1984 when my nine-year-old son was run over by a car. John was there within moments and helped us through that difficult time over the next several weeks. I was on the receiving end of chaplain ministry before I ever began to give to that ministry.”

Chaplains ride with the police, may be called to the scene of tragedies, counsel police personnel, deliver death notifications, become involved in domestic violence situations, conduct police funerals, perform weddings and baptisms, make hospital visits, serve as the official “pray-er” at functions, and take care of a host of other responsibilities. Epps was called during the recent mass murder in Atlanta to minister to the families of victims.

Epps insists that his volunteer duties do not hinder him in his other role as the founding pastor of Christ the King Episcopal Church (CEC). “The church is my life but I also love and respect the police in our community,” he says. “This is my service to those who serve us.”

Unlike most non-police-officer chaplains, Epps says his training enables him to serve as a valuable assistant to officers as needed. He has served as a witness in court, has made arrests, and has participated with a SWAT/drug enforcement team in a drug raid.

“I have to admit that my mouth was pretty dry that night,” Epps said. “It had been a long time since I had been in the Marine Corps and I wasn't sure I would be up to a combat type situation. But the deputies are extremely competent and the raids—two that night—ended successfully with no one hurt.”

Epps, who has more than 900 hours of police training behind him, also teaches ethics and management and supervision at the police academy.

While the chaplain reports directly to the head of the agency, he is required to maintain strict confidentiality at all times. “Peachtree City Police Chief James Murray is especially helpful in this area,” Epps says. “As a Roman Catholic, he understands the sanctity of the confessional. He has never asked me to reveal a confidence shared by an officer. This trust must be present in order for the chaplain to function effectively.”

In 1993, the officers of the Peachtree City Police Department voted Epps the Volunteer of the Year. And recently, Senoia Police Chief Ben Thomas asked Epps to develop a chaplain's program for Senoia.

Epps says his participation with the police may have had an influence on the careers of his sons. His oldest son graduated from college, became a Peachtree City police officer, and now serves as a detective. His middle son worked as a police officer for several agencies before becoming self-employed. His youngest son is in the U.S. Air Force with a top secret security clearance, preparing for work that involves national security.

Earlier this year, Epps was designated as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of the Armed Forces, and was given the task of helping to develop police and state guard chaplaincies nationwide for his denomination.

“I wish people could see what I see,” Epps says. “If they could, they would thank God every day for the men and women who patrol our streets and keep society safe. It is an honor to serve with them in this small way.”

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