The Chestermere RCMP and Lake Ridge Community Church Pastor Preston Pouteaux are working together to better support the needs of the community.
Pouteaux will engage with Chestermere RCMP members, engage in minor patrols with members on duty, liaise with the community, and represent the detachment at community events. Under the direction of RCMP, Pouteaux can also support residents at community events, or at a crime scene if it’s appropriate.
“We are extremely excited to have him join the Chestermere RCMP Chaplaincy program,” Chestermere Staff Sgt. Kathy Klassen said.
As the Chestermere RCMP Chaplain Pouteaux will work to create a health culture in the community by being attentive and available.
Pouteaux will stop by the detachment after a tragedy in the community, or just to catch up and visit. Sometimes he will join a member and ride along as they respond to calls.
“Chaplains are simply pastors who care for the human behind the badge, and care often looks like a cup of coffee, time to listen, and a deepening understanding of the pressures that front-line workers face in our community,” Pouteaux said. “Everyone needs someone who cares, and I hope that these members know that their city cares for them as they serve us.”
Pouteaux’s work as a Chaplain is an extension of his work as a Pastor at Lake Ridge Community Church, to show up, learn the names, families, and the stories of each RCMP member.
“Our long-term hope is that every RCMP member would know that they are appreciated, valued, heard, and welcome in our city not just for the service they provide. We all thrive when we care for each other well,” Pouteaux said.
Services offered by the Chaplaincy program include support during death situations, support during times of injury, and returning to work, support during family-related situations such as loss, divorce, serious injury, transfers, traumatic incidents, and PTSD, presence in the workplace, marriage and baptism, and involvement in the community.
“Demands on policing are growing more and more difficult over the years, combined with the new emphasis put on employee wellness, the role of the RCMP Chaplain has become increasingly more important in providing member care,” Klassen said.
Chaplains working with the RCMP have been recorded in the past, and previously, and before Pouteaux was announced as the Chestermere RCMP Chaplain, one serviced the Gleichen, Strathmore and Chestermere RCMP detachments.
“RCMP Chaplains have been responsible for providing encouragement, hope, spiritual and emotional care for over 100 years. They provide a listening ear with a non-judgemental ear,” Klassen said.
The Alberta RCMP Chaplaincy has been working to identify a Chaplain for 116 RCMP detachments in the province.
“They provide care to members 24/7 in times of serious incident,” Klassen said. “This helps ensure each police officer is familiar with the program and has knowledge on how they can help the members.”
Pouteaux was invited to be the volunteer Chaplain in 2020 but was named the official Chaplain in February of this year.
“Being a Chaplain has been a joy for me. I am a neighbourhood pastor and that means that my work is not just to care for our church, but to connect and care broadly in our community. I have deeply enjoyed getting to know our RCMP, and hope that our city can continue to come alongside our police, and perhaps our other front-line workers, to encourage, listen, and care,” Pouteaux said.
Pouteaux believes that police, fire-fighters, doctors, and nurses are not a commodity to be used up, but people who give their lives for others.
“Caring for them is not a program or project, but a deeply personal way of being human in a world that can feel like it loses its humanity at times. It is something we do as people of faith, but it is also a universal way to respond, and I think we all have a role to play in caring for those who care for us,” Pouteaux said.
The RCMP Chaplaincy initiative is a meaningful way for RCMP members throughout the province to have professionals in their lives who are caring for them, are close to reach out to, and understand their work and the challenges that go along with it.
“It’s an honour to be invited to be that person for our RCMP in Chestermere,” Pouteaux said.
“I want to thank the RCMP for serving our city and I would encourage our community to re-engage our police, fire, and medical services with renewed gratitude and care,” Pouteaux said. “When our front-line workers are healthy, welcomed, appreciated, and supported, our city is made all the better for it.”
