New appointment boosts chaplaincy services to the Metropolitan Police Service

Senior Chaplain to provide spiritual and pastoral support to London police

09/12/09

In a significant new development in the provision of a chaplaincy service to the Police in London, the Reverend Jonathan Osborne has been appointed Senior Chaplain to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Jonathan will oversee the provision of spiritual, pastoral and religious support to the police across 32 London Boroughs and in six Dioceses including London, Southwark, Chelmsford, Rochester, St Albans and Guildford. He will take a strategic view of chaplaincy across the whole of the MPS and his role will involve establishing a network of voluntary leaders drawn from different faiths to meet the diverse needs of the London police service and their families.

Looking ahead to his new role the Reverend Jonathan Osborne said:

"I am greatly looking forward to the task ahead, which will involve providing spiritual and pastoral support to members of the MPS and their families, regardless of their faith.

"The challenges that the MPS face on a daily basis are incredibly varied. So at first I plan to spend time getting to know what it is that individuals need from a chaplaincy service. Then I can establish a team that can best provide this support."

Welcoming the new appointment Martin Tiplady Director of Human Resources for the Metropolitan Police Service said:

"I am delighted that Jonathan will be joining us. Chaplaincy has an important role in servicing the emotional and spiritual needs of our officers and I look forward to Jonathan working with us to develop the extent and offerings of a multi-faith service."