There's a heavy police presence in downtown Winnipeg today, and they're learning how to help others break free from chains.

The Canadian Police Chaplain Association (CPCA) is hosting its annual training seminar in Winnipeg this week. Dozens of chaplains from across the nation have come to the provincial capital for a week of being equipped and networking.

"About 55 chaplains from across Canada who serve law enforcement in their home areas are here this week," Insp. George Labossiere of the Winnipeg Police Service says. Labossiere is also a chaplain with the WPS. Other chaplains with the WPS and at some other departments in Manitoba are also officers. However, in other regions, chaplains are often volunteers from local congregations or other vocations.

"We take on responsibilities of ensuring for the well-being of our officers," Labossiere says about the role of chaplains on police forces. "As you know, the work that police do can be very daunting. In fact, they see traumatic situations on a regular basis; two, three, four times a day, every day that they come to work."

That means for chaplains "we have to make sure we look out for the spiritual, and emotional well-being." Labossiere says that can mean one-on-one conversations and meetings. 

In Brandon, Man., an officer is also the chaplain for the Brandon Police Service. Const. Bruce Ewanyshyn became the city's first sworn police officer in BPS history to volunteer for the role of chaplain in 2015. Today, Ewanyshyn also serves as the president of the CPCA.

He says the CPCA "exists to serve men and women who have received a call of God on their life to serve those who serve others with excellence. That's our mandate. Men and women are called across Canada to come alongside officers and their families, to serve them and be there in times of trouble and times when things are going well." 

The CPCA has training programs which credentials officers and others in the chaplaincy process. "We provide training in core courses, training for crises areas, debriefing and defusing, and also with police families."

Ewanyshyn says that the CPCA has grown over recent years, with many pastors and others from other faith backgrounds coming forward to serve as chaplains.

He says the CPCA takes a multi-faith approach to their training. "We recognize that police officers are diverse in their beliefs, in their backgrounds, and our goal is to equip men and women, to come alongside them, be that shoulder to lean on, and be that confidant as well. Policing is a very challenging occupation," he says, and chaplains play a vital role in supporting first responders.

How to pray for police

Labossiere says that everyone needs prayer, and citizens can play for specific things when it comes to praying for police.

"Pray first that they can have empathy and compassion in their work," he says, "to not become hardened by the challenges that they do face." 

Labossiere says that hardening is often a defence mechanism due to the significant challenges they face. 

Safety is also an obvious prayer request. "We want them to be able to return to their families when the day is done in a healthy manner, and so prayer in any manner for that would be truly appreciated." 

Prayer for the families of officers is also needed as they face worry and at times carry the weight of officers' burdens.