The chaplain can assist victims with dealing with the initial emotional trauma and then direct victims to community resources that can give more long-term assistance. At a crime scene or disaster scene, the chaplain can assist with distraught family members freeing officers and investigators to do their job. The chaplain can help with questions involving religions such as protocol in dealing with church officials, religious quotes found at crime scene, information on religious groups, sects or cults, etc. 11. The chaplain can assist with public relations with clergy and religious leaders in the community. The chaplain may be called upon to lead in prayer for such activities as graduations, meeting, banquets, etc.
Some departments have their chaplain serve on hiring boards, award boards, discipline boards, etc.