FBI

FBI special agents and other Bureau professionals who have chosen on a daily basis to respond to the bloody, chaotic scenes of mass casualties do so to help and to find answers. These individuals need a special kind of support and guidance, before, during, and after incidents, and this is where Chaplains like myself step up.


Chaplains provide spiritual guidance when employees are facing personal tragedy or other difficulties, such as home life or personal matters.


INLETS is a private/public concern, led by the FBI, that trains all sorts of Law Enforcement from your local Sheriff to the Secret Service; from Critical Infrastructure Law Enforcement personnel to the NYPD.  I have been the INLETS chaplain for over 7 years having “Coffee & Conversations” in New Orleans, Annapolis, Honolulu, and other locales.  Through my work with INLETS/FBI I have spoken to hundreds of law enforcement officers about the issues in their lives that they need a sounding board for.

Dealing with human mass casualties, as well as atrocities that are inflicted upon human society is a hard and many times, a seasoned role that numerous professionals engage in while in the performance of their investigative duties.


Similar to other Government, DOD, and civilian chaplains, those who work for the FBI are ordained clergy with numerous years of experience. Some of my counterparts may lead a church, synagogue, or mosque, FBI chaplains provide spiritual support and guidance to a broader population in the Bureau, by including everyone’s religious beliefs in their services.


INLETS chaplains are accessible to anyone, regardless of faith, placing us in a position to understand that a higher power leads our actions, while we focus on accepting all backgrounds of faith.

“We know there’s a point at which people may need to talk to a mental health professional. But if needed, the chaplain can offer to provide the spiritual aspect with faith, with values, with meaning.” Naomi Paget, chaplain, FBI Houston.

 

As an INLETS Chaplain, I focus completely on the officer or agent, whenever they have a need to talk to someone or to be a sounding board. Often, this happens when the officer/agent faces similar tragic circumstances and it reminds them, of past incidents. We talk to people on the phone, Facetime, Zoom, and in-person. 

 

People are looking for reassurance and comfort so they know they are not going through this all by themselves.” Comment by FBI Houston Chaplain Naomi Paget. She also mentioned “The ministry of our presence is one of the most important things we can provide,”.

 

These actions remind the first responders and staff to take care of themselves and that there is someone to talk to, because many times these highly trained individuals simply go into “Work Mode” and neglect their needs.

 

The bulk of our engagement and counseling comes months after a crime scene is cleared. Many highly trained agents and professionals at a crime scene or mass casualty have learned to compartmentalize their efforts and thinking . The focus is on collection of data, testimony, facts, and actions.  

 

They don’t have the luxury of speculating about the inhumanity of violence or good vs. evil that is being witnessed, they are focused on Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity first, the motto of the FBI.

Members of INLETS Training

INtel and Law Enforcement Training Seminar

  • Secret Service
  • Homeland Security
  • DIA
  • NSA
  • CIA
  • FBI
  • NYPD
  • Sheriffs Around Country
  • French National Police
  • Australian National Police
  • Norweigian National Police