Wednesday: The Memorial Service

Each year at the International Conference of Police Chaplains Annual Training Seminar, a memorial service is conducted for all law enforcement officers who died in the last 12 months.  The Memorial Service was held this afternoon.  Below is a picture of part of the crowd.

The Mobile Police Department's Honor Guard after the service.

The local Sheriff's Honor Guard also participated.

The Bagpipes are part of the memorial tradition.  Here, the piper is still playing after leaving the auditorium.

The Bugler, part of Mobile PD's Honor Guard, prepares to play Taps.

Wednesday: The Classes

Today's classes covered improving your relations with the department you serve, and how to respond to terrorism and disasters.  Lighting is poor in the classrooms, so I don't have many photos of the sessions.

Wednesday: The Press Conference

Our hotel is next door to the Mobile Government Building.  On my way back to the hotel for lunch, I noticed several television trucks surrounding the building, so I went inside to check things out.  You can see three of the antennas in this photo.

Inside, I discovered that Mobile's mayor was scheduled to comment on the recent Department of Defense decision regarding the new KC 45 Tanker airplane project that was supposed to come to south Alabama.  A small crowd was waiting in the inside courtyard for the major to appear.

While they were waiting for the mayor, the news teams interviewed the chairman of their county commission.  He is talking with one of the reporters below.

The mayor appears.  One of the reporters is helping him get 'wired' up.

The reporters waiting for the Mayor to finish so they can ask questions.

Mobile's Mayor making his remarks.  Note the model airplane over his shoulder.

After it became obvious that no one was going to ask for my reaction, I decided to go to lunch.  The Reuben sandwich was pretty good.

Flowers in Mobile

More flowers for Anita.

Tuesday Classes

Chaplain Terry Morgan from Placer County, California, led a session on how chaplains can work with special law enforcement groups such as SWAT teams, bike patrols, etc.  He is a full-time chaplain and serves all the law enforcement agencies in his county.

Jennifer Thacker is the National President of C.O.P.S. (Concerns Of Police Survivors).  Her husband was killed while on duty ten years ago.  She taught how chaplains can assist families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.  She is an excellent presenter.

Mindi Russell is a chaplain from Sacramento, California, who has worked with over 140 families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.   Her class discussed how to provide services, funerals, and aftercare for surviving family members.

Glenn Archer, Ed. D., lives in Mobile.  He taught a class on how chaplains can help police officers prepare for retirement.  Since recent studies show that many former officers die within five years after retiring, they need more than just good financial planning.  He presented points on a ten-year plan that will help turn those statistics around.

ICPC President, Wesley McDuffie, behind his computer at the registration desk.

Mobile Training Continued: Monday Night...Still

Along with the good food on Monday night, the Mobile folks lined the streets with antique cars and police equipment. 

Mobile Training Continued: Monday Night

Sean Libby, a chaplain with the Montgomery County Maryland Sheriff's Department, and I braved the huge line of chaplains gathering in the Government Building Courtyard for an evening meal that was billed as a shrimp boil.  There was more chicken served than shrimp, but it was all very good - and was provided by the ICPC folks in Mobile.  Thank you!

A jazz band let the group as they marched down the street from their hotel to the Government Courtyard.  We only had to walk across the street, but we still enjoyed the music.

The starting line at the 'shrimp boil'.

Mobile Training Continued: Our Hotel

The convention hotel was full by the time I registered, so a few dozen of us were sent a couple of blocks down the street to the Admiral Semmes Hotel.  

The Admiral Semmes is right next to the Government Building in Mobile.  Lots of old trees line the street. 

Inside the lobby, a chandelier hangs inside a circle of mirrors.

And for Anita, this is the flower arrangement that sits directly under the chandelier in the center of the lobby. 

Police Chaplains - Mobile, Alabama

I am attending the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) 35th Annual Training Seminar in Mobile, Alabama, this week.  This is truly an international event:  I've met chaplains from Bulgaria, South Africa, and Saipan. 

Only my children will understand - but this is a picture of the drapes in the hotel.  (I have just justified the cost of this trip in my wife's eyes).

A 'real' Southern Belle in downtown Mobile.

Part of the police vehicles on display - this one courtesy of the Mobile Police.

I attended two classes today.  My morning session was led by a chaplain from the Honolulu Police Department and discussed how chaplains should be involved in working with new police recruits.

In the afternoon, I attended a class dealing with school violence.  The Pennsylvania State Police Chaplain who responded to the shooting at the Amish School shared his experiences.  He is pictured below.

I'll add more photos later.