OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala City Council voted unanimously on June 17 to approve a budget amendment accepting a $99,694 grant from Lutheran Services Florida, Inc., Health Systems. The funding will support the Ocala Police Department’s (OPD) first full-time chaplain for the 2024–25 fiscal year.
The grant-funded position will be active for one year, with OPD required to reapply for continued funding at the same level next year.
There seems to be some misunderstanding about the position and the separation of church and state, and the first year of the program, the position is being fully funded by Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Health System, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken explained.
The chaplain program has been part of OPD for 30 years, but until now, it has operated solely on a volunteer basis. That reliance limited the depth of support chaplains could provide to officers and staff.
Balken says that historically, the OPD chaplain has served in a less spiritual and religious role, going to meetings, serving as an extra set of eyes and ears to make sure that people are getting the help that they need.
The new full-time position will focus on internal support, especially in high-stress situations, crisis response, and moments of personal difficulty.
The chaplain’s role is to aid the officers specifically from a spiritual capacity as it relates to critical incidents and stressful situations, serving as an ear and as an emotional and spiritual supporter. Balken said that makes sure that all members of OPD are healthy, so they can go out and perform in their roles and to better serve the citizens.
Balken noted that law enforcement suicide rates are often double the national average, and OPD is committed to reducing that number.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to get that number down to zero, certainly within the Ocala Police Department,” he said.
The chaplaincy is part of a broader wellness approach that includes physical fitness, mental health, and spiritual support. Balken highlighted OPD’s partnership with the hospital district to provide 24/7 access to an external mental health provider—completely independent of the city or police command.
“All of our employees have access 24/7 to an external mental health provider… that program has been tremendous in ensuring the mental health and well-being of our people,” Balken said.
The chaplain also plays a ceremonial and public-facing role, attending council meetings, swearing-in ceremonies, and responding to some community critical incidents.
“It’s an important program for us, and I really want to expand, and the way to do that is to have a fulltime chaplain that can not only recruit but also oversee the volunteer chaplains that would work under him or her,” Balken added.