The Halton Regional Police Service Chaplaincy program was founded in 1993 as a proactive initiative whereby Chaplains are actively involved in the lives of officers and other Service members through frequent station visits and ride-alongs. Because relationships of trust are established, needs are met before they escalate into something more serious. Often, what is needed is an independent listening ear and some wise counsel for a crisis to be averted.
The Halton Regional Police Service Chaplains are available at all times but especially during significant periods in the lives of members such as weddings, parent/child dedications, illnesses and funeral services.
Combined, Chaplains Peter Barrow and Hans Hamer have a total of 25 years of service as Chaplains.
As the Chaplaincy program has evolved over the years, so too has the Halton Regional Police Service, and we are seeing members of many non-Christian faiths join our ranks. Although the Chaplaincy program is non-denominational and is open to members of any or no faith, awareness exists that a member would often prefer to speak to someone of their own faith or of their own culture. For this reason, the Halton Regional Police Service introduced its Multi-Faith Support Team in 2008.
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Reverend Hans Hamer |
Chaplain Hans Hamer is a former police officer who served 13 years with the Halton Regional Police Service before feeling the call to attend the seminary for ministry training. Chaplain Hamer is an ordained minister who has served overseas and in a number of churches in the greater Toronto area.
In 1993, and at the invitation of the Halton Regional Police Service, Reverend Hamer became one of the three Chaplains in a newly formed Chaplaincy Services program. Four years later, he became Chaplaincy Coordinator, a role he has held ever since.
In addition to his Chaplaincy with the HRPS, Reverend Hamer serves as Chaplain to the members of the Burlington and Oakville Fire Departments, is involved in the ministries of the church which he attends and, along with his wife, volunteers at the Breakfast For Learning program at Oakwood School in Oakville.
Chaplain Hamer has been married to his wife Simona for 38 years. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
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