Met Chaplain licensed

The Reverend Jonathan Osborne, Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Metropolitan Police Service, Catherine Crawford, Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Martin Tiplady, Director of Human Resources, Metropolitan Police Service, Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres

14/01/10

The Revd Jonathan Osborne has been formally licensed as Senior Chaplain of the Metropolitan Police at a service held at St Paul's Cathedral.

The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres said:

"This is a joint appointment made and financed by the Church and the Metropolitan Police Service. Jonathan will be serving 55,000 members of staff and their families, protecting Londoners over 620 sq. miles with 7 million people in 32 boroughs and six Dioceses.

"This appointment has been conceived in an inclusive way and the intention is to involve properly accredited chaplains from the whole range of spiritual traditions in the capital in support of the morale and ethos of the Met.

"This is of crucial significance to every Londoner. Having lived and worked in a number of other countries I can say that we are right to be proud of our police service but the challenges for people on the front line of protecting society are obvious. The work of the Chaplaincy is to support the morale and ethos of the Met at a time when we are all concerned for social cohesion. A Chaplain serves by being embedded and alongside and so understanding of the pressures faced by those who undertake the difficult work of policing this great world city.

"This is a hugely significant role. Jonathan, be assured of our prayers as you begin your work serving the Met and helping the Met to serve London."

Speaking last year about his new role the Revd Jonathan Osborne said:

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

"The challenges that the Metropolitan Police Service 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."

The Bishop of London's introductory comments can be read in full here.