It all began in the spring of 2009. My older son asked me if I wanted to attend the Citizens’ Police Academy conducted by the Mequon Police Department. These are programs that many police departments run that help citizens understand police work. It also helps the departments connect with the community. This sounded intriguing, so my son and I signed up and spent six evenings learning more about police work. These sessions included defense and arrest tactics, shoot and don’t shoot scenarios on a big screen simulator, traffic stops, a canine demonstration, drug and alcohol identification, one-on-one use and instruction at a police shooting range, and simunition [simulated ammunition] exercises. It was an informative six weeks. Little did I know it was also a formative six weeks.

At the end of this program, the captain of the police reserves gave a presentation on the work of the reserves and invited those who were interested to join. I had never thought of getting involved in police work, but I ended up talking to the captain who convinced me to join the police reserves.

I have often told WLS students to get involved in their community in some way, so it was time that I practiced what I preached. So, for about a decade I did police reserve work. This meant attending community events that required some form of police presence. It saved the department hours of work and included events that the sworn officers did not enjoy, such as parades; high school football, basketball, and hockey games; fun runs; bike races; and graduation services.” Our tasks ranged from directing traffic to managing the crowds. We wore uniforms that identified us as reserve officers and carried radios to call for sworn officers to deal with incidents.

The benefit of my reserve work is that I got out into the community, met the mayor and other local officials as well as general people around town. I got to explain the work of the seminary on various occasions. Many were curious about the beautiful place on the hill. One person thought we were a monastery. Such was my life as a reserve officer for about a decade.

It was in the spring of 2018 that the State of Wisconsin offered a training program for police chaplains. The state recognized the challenges that officers faced and wanted to help. The police chief contacted me and asked if I would take the training and become a police chaplain. So, my role shifted from reserve work to chaplaincy work. My task was twofold. I was to support the officers in their work and meet with those who wanted a “safe” person to talk to. I also supported the community by being a calming presence when families in the community lost a loved one. This allowed the officers to do their investigative work and gather necessary information while I sat with the family members.

This work is not easy. The police culture is a closed unit, and it takes time to earn their trust. And being there with a family when their loved one has died can be painful. Yet it is something that pastors do as they minister to their flock, so the challenge was nothing new. It also gave me opportunities to witness to my Christian faith and even serve people in their spiritual lives. As police chaplains we are not allowed to proselytize. We have to maintain clear spiritual boundaries. However, we are free to answer any questions people raise about the Bible or the Christian faith and can pastor them at their request. As a result, I have ministered to the dying and conducted funerals for those who confessed the faith. However, as chaplains we do not have to do anything that conflicts with our Christian faith.

As you can see, it has been an interesting journey. It is one way that this pastor/ professor sought to engage and serve the community in which he lives.

In addition to serving as campus counselor, John Schuetze teaches courses in pastoral theology and systematic theology.