Deacon Robert A. Baker, Sr.

I began my service as a Chaplain for the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in June of 2002. At that time the Sheriff’s Office had the Chaplain of the Jersey City Police Department and a Rabbi also serving.  The department did not have a dedicated chaplain.  My oldest son Rob was a member of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office at this time. Needles to say, I had a vested interest and my full focus was and always has been to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office above all other requests.  

A Police chaplain is not just a badge and ID given to a member of the clergy. Years ago that may have been the case but not today. Like all things, law enforcement has become very specialized and requires constant training. With this, comes the need for a police chaplain to meet the needs of this new breed through specialized training and retraining. The Department of Justice defines a police chaplain as a "Law Enforcement Officer". As chaplain I am entitled to vest replacement and in the event of my death performing my duties, my family is entitled to survivor benifits just like you. In short I am not a civilian, I am part of your family and you are part of mine.

 All we have is each other, and the sooner you come to that realization the sooner we can work together as family. Words cannot describe the pride I have when I'm around you all! The vast majority of my work is performed out of view and most is conducted by telephone.  It is not unusual for me to be called at 2 or 3 in the morning and I'm always happy regardless of the time to have an officer call me. Whenever I read about an officer taking ones life I can’t help but think that the tragedy was the result of

• A poor Chaplaincy Program
• Failure of co-workers to recognize changes in behavior
• Failure of co-workers to notify supervision
• Officer was unaware of help resources
• Any combination of above

One of the greatest resources a department can have is the active role of its members in watching out for one another.  You ARE your brothers/sisters keeper!  We cannot save everyone and we can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do but we have to try!  As you will see on my training page, a lot of effort has been made on my part to bring you the best program and resources that I can.

 I come from a law enforcement family and recognize that you as a member of the law enforcement community require specialized care!  I need your help to get the word out, I need your help to be my eyes and ears, and I need your help to watch for the danger signs in co-workers.  Most of all, I need your trust in my capabilities.