Christian Police Association Annual Conference

This year, the CPA Annual Conference is being held in Scotland - at the Scottish Police College in Tulliallan.  If I recall correctly, this is the first time that it has been held north of the border - and if not, then it is certainly the first time for a very long time!

The CPA is the oldest Force Support organisation within the Police Force(s).  It was founded in 1883 by Catherine Gurney - who also founded the Police Convalescent Homes (Rehabilitation Centres) in Reading, Bershire; Harrogate,N.Yorkshire; and Auchterarder, Pethshire.  She also founded police orphanages and schools, and travelled abroad to continue her work and thus make the CPA a truly international organisation.  Little wonder that she was eventually awarded the OBE - a much more worthy recipient than the majority of those who receive such awards today!

Tomorrow evening, I have the privilege - in my dual capacity as a member of the CPA and a Force Chaplain - of ministering at the worship service (which is also open to the general public) to be hosted by Tulliallan and Kincardine Parish Church, where my friend, Rev Ken Donald, is the minister.  On Sunday morning, I will also (D.V.) be officiating at a wreath-laying ceremony at the War memorial at the College.

I share all of this to do two things.  First of all to emphasise the fact that there are many disciples of Jesus within our Police Forces, throughout the United Kingdom.  Indeed, I know of at least three Chief Constables who are members of the CPA!  They, and many others, have found that it is perfectly possible to be a committed  follower of Jesus, the Christ, within the Police Service.

The other reason is to encourage those of my readers who, themselves, are disciples of Jesus, to pray for our police officers and civilian staff.  Indeed, the CPA has an initiative that gives specific ideas as to how you might pray for your local officers.

For example, you might wish to contact your local police station and find out the names of the Community/Neighbourhood Police Team.  If you are within the Strathclyde Force area, you will be able to access that information online - although movement of officers means that it might not always be totally accurate!  Other Forces may have the same information on their websites.  You could then pray for those officers, by name, perhaps on a "rota" - so many each day.

You might also listen to local radio and television news, and take note of any items involving the police that should be the subjects of prayer.  Logging on to the website of your local Force and navigate to the news/appeals page, where you may find out about local situations over which you could pray.

If anyone would like to have a copy of the Pray4YourPolice card, please leave a comment to that effect (it will not be published!) together with an e-mail address and I will happily scan both sides and forward it to you.

I feel tremendously privileged to have had this door of opportunity opened to me, as I seek to serve the officers and civilian staff within my own Division.  It would be good if many others were to join with me in my most important duty - to pray for them, on a daily basis!