Call to pray for police

By Cara Sulieman

A GROUP of policeman think that they can cut crime by getting community groups to “adopt a cop” and pray for them.

The Christian Police Association are urging churches of all denominations to pray for cops all over the country – saying it will reduce crime, ease community tension and protect the boys in blue from temptation.

Harry Pearson, branch leader of Strathclyde Christian Police Alliance, said that it “may well bring tangible results”.

The initiative is part of Coact, a national scheme which aims to build bridges between Christian communities and police across Britian.

“Adopt a cop”

Mr Pearson said: “We believe prayer really can make a difference to policing and the challenging job that officers do.

“We suggest that people find out the names of their local Community Policing Team and commit to praying for them.

“Individuals and churches in neighbourhoods can ‘adopt a cop’ by praying for specific officers, staff and teams at their local police station, as well as places and issues, and so offer that prayerful support.

“Praying specifically for your local policing situation may well bring tangible results.”

Other subjects of prayer Mr Pearson suggested include – the officer in charge of the area and their senior team in providing ethical and effective leadership, police staff in key positions that they might build confidence and trust with the public, success in preventing crime, wisdom in all situations, including juggling priorities and on-the-spot decisions.

“Prayer is key”

In July 2008, Strathclyde was the first force in Scotland to recognise the Christian Police Association (CPA).

A similar agreement has recently been put in place in Grampian, and Lothian and Borders recognised the CPS as a staff association.

Mr Pearson, research officer at the Force Training and Recruitment Centre near East Kilbride, hopes the CPA will be recognised on a national level by the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland, as they have been in England and Wales.

The CPA in England and Wales has recently been given £10,000 from the Home Office to promote Coact, but no such funding is apparent in Scotland.

Chief Constable Ian Latimer, Chair of the Equality and Diversity Business Area for ACPOS, said: “An arrangement which formalises the relationship between ACPOS and the association is currently being considered.”

The CPA believes that “prayer is key, is powerful and changes things, it is the slender nerve, which moves the hand of God and we are asking him to intervene in our community”.

Mr Pearson added: “”We hope people all over the country will get behind this. An excellent point of focus is the National Day of prayer for the Police Service on may 13.”

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