The unexpected death of a loved one is a traumatic experience for families and friends. Police Officers responding to such calls also experience their own emotions and challenges. It's critical in the immediate hours around a death and for the eventual healing process, to have someone come alongside families and police to offer emotional, spiritual, and physical guidance and support.
That's where Spokane Police Chaplains come in. They assist police officers responding to murders, suicides, and accidental deaths by meeting with family members and others at the scene who may be in shock and/or dealing with grief, anger, and heartache.
In 2022 alone, police chaplains responded to 661 calls. While our chaplains comfort, encourage, and help debrief those in need, our police officers attend to the crime or accident details. Chaplains stay with family members after the scene is cleared and discuss burial and cremation options before connecting families with funeral homes. They also make sure our police officers have the emotional support they need as the constant exposure to trauma can take a mental and even physical toll. The SPD Chaplains primary focus is ministering to members of the Police Department.
Griefshare is a ministry designed to assist individuals and families navigate the grief process through a group dynamic, hosted by local churches and other community centers. Griefshare is a 13 week program with a Christian focus on learning coping skills to manage grief after losing a loved one. Visit their website for more information and to find a Griefshare group in your area.
The Spokane Police Chaplaincy Program is comprised of two full-time chaplains and more than 20 volunteers. Many of them are retired pastors and ministers. All of them have a heart for service and a guiding faith. If you are interested in becoming a police chaplain, contact Senior Chaplain Mickey Tuter at spdchaplains@spokanepolice.org.
Mickey Tuter
Senior Chaplain
Mickey leads a team of 20 plus volunteer chaplains, whose primary goal is to support our officers in any way we are able-"in all things officers first".
Mickey, a lifelong resident of Spokane, started with the Spokane Police chaplaincy in 2006, as a volunteer chaplain and was hired as a full-time chaplain in August of 2017. Mickey has responded to hundreds of DOAs, in addition to multiple officer involved shootings, as well as attended debriefs within his department and the community.
Mickey graduated from Life Pacific College in 2009 with a degree in Leadership and Ministry and is a Master Chaplain with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. He Has two beautiful school age daughters, one chihuahua named Kitty and is stunningly handsome!
Kevin Piatt
Chaplain
Kevin began his career with the Spokane Police Chaplaincy as a volunteer in 2018 and was brought on as a full-time Chaplain in 2021. He has been involved with youth, small group, and many other ministries for more than 35 years and has made Spokane his home for the past 21 years. Kevin and his wife of 32 years have raised their two children in the Spokane area, where they enjoy spending time with family and being outdoors as often as possible. Kevin is a Senior Chaplain with the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
The Spokane Police Chaplaincy is not-for-profit 501(c) 3 and all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support of the Spokane Police Chaplaincy!
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