women
IN LEADERSHIP
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento
24-hour confidential helpline : 916-857-1801
For Mindi Russell , Executive Director of Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento , serving as a career law enforcement chaplain is not just a job , it ’ s a calling .
“ We ’ re called into this because it ’ s part of our DNA ,” Russell says . “ It ’ s not normal for someone to reach out to complete strangers in the worst times of their lives .” Chaplains are prepared . It requires us to step out of our comfort zone . We ’ re there to bring God ’ s hope . That ’ s our skill , our gift , our talent .”
Over a nearly 30-year career , Russell ’ s faith , compassion and empathy have been called on in all kinds of crises . LECS serves 17 law enforcement agencies and their families , as well as state and federal first responders . Russell herself has been present for national emergencies , like Sept . 11 and Hurricane Katrina , and more than 225 line-of-duty death funerals .
Russell ’ s is the comforting presence that offers a steady hand , a shoulder to cry on , a listening ear , a whispered prayer , or sometimes just a silent reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel . While she ’ s earned plenty of accolades — including the National
Crime Victim Service Award , the highest federal honor for victim advocacy given by serving at ground zero — Russell ’ s main motivation is providing hope .
“ People call 911 and expect officers to take them out of that victim zone ,” Russell says . “ Who do officers call when they ’ re in crisis ? Us . We serve the 3-part whole officer ( physical , mental , and spiritual ). We remind them that they are not alone . We are there to meet them and help them transition their trauma to live and be better instead of bitter .”
While compassion may come naturally , Russell believes that education is also crucial . Under her leadership , LECS has become a national model chaplaincy for its prevention and postvention programs , which are also taught abroad .
“ We are God ’ s Ambassador ’ s bringing humanity and hope in desperate situations . We are professionally trained , to serve on scene or within departments , 24 / 7 . We are able to speak into people ’ s hearts , not because of our title , but because they see us as someone that has earned their trust .””
BLESSING OF THE BADGE IS AN HONOR FOR THE CHAPLAIN AND THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WEARS THE BADGE . A SHIELD OR BADGE DESIGNATED BY 5 , 6 , OR 7 POINTS WAS ORIGINALLY WORN AS A COAT OF ARMS BY KNIGHTS . LAW ENFORCEMENT TODAY SWEARS AN OATH , WHICH REMINDS THEM OF THE QUALITIES THEY STAND FOR : CHARACTER , HONOR , INTEGRITY , COURAGE , KNOWLEDGE , JUDGMENT , ACCOUNTABILITY , LOYALTY , SACRIFICE , PUBLIC TRUST .
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy-Sacramento & California Chaplain Corps 2500 Marconi Ave , Suite 110 Sacramento , CA 95821 SacChaplains . com
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