We know that law enforcement officers daily engage in difficult and dangerous work. They are exposed to very high risk physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. These officers need our support. Sometimes we too, the people they faithfully serve, unfortunately experience crises. Law enforcement chaplains help everyone, especially during difficult and dangerous times.

Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. (POM) is a  Christian law enforcement chaplaincy ministry that provides direct help during these times of trouble. POM also serves as a chaplaincy resource for officers, chaplains, police agencies, churches, and communities.  We provide spiritual care,  consulting, training, and written materials (including a special Bible edition for officers).  POM is a charter member of the Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies, and is a referral organization for Focus on the Family.

"In keeping with our Lord's Great Commission, Peace Officer ministries brings the saving and strengthening Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as possible, and especially to peace officers and their families, through law enforcement chaplaincy" (Matthew 28:19-20)

"We believe that the Bible is the only authoritative and life-giving Word of God. Its truths form the foundation on which we minister"

"We strive for professional competence and evangelical excellence. We practice pastoral commitment, consistency, and confidentiality (II Timothy 4:1-2). We only serve when and where we are invited (I Peter 3:15b-16a). We serve everyone without discrimination (John 3:16), and make referrals when appropriate. We always strive to serve within the law and law enforcement agency guidelines. We seek to be gracious to all, including those who disagree with our beliefs. We do not compete with the ministry of the local church, but always seek to serve it. The development of law enforcement chaplaincy everywhere is a chief goal of our work.

Founder & Executive Director of POM

Chaplain Steve Lee is a former California peace officer. He worked in a variety of roles during his law enforcement career: police officer (patrol, juvenile officer), sheriff's deputy and sergeant (jail, patrol, deputy coroner, SWAT, investigations), and federal special agent (major crimes, foreign counter-intelligence).

Chaplain Lee left law enforcement in 1988 to attend Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana and has since served as a pastor (ordained by they Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) and law enforcement chaplain. He has been called by Bethany Lutheran Church, Menlo Park, CA to serve as full-time Executive Director of POM, which he founded in 1996. He has written a book for officers entitled, Backup on the Beat.  Among other ministry endeavors, Chaplain Lee has served as on-scene chaplain at the Focus on the Family hostage crisis, the Columbine High School tragedy, the Los Alamos fire, the Texas 7 arrest scene, and at Ground Zero.

Chaplain Lee currently serves as a volunteer chaplain for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.  POM has assisted law enforcement officers and agencies across the country.  Chaplain Lee is a member in good standing of the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), and holds their highest certification, "Master Chaplain."  

 

Chaplain Lee holds an A.A. Degree in Law Enforcement from West Valley College (Saratoga, CA, 1974), a B.A. Degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University (Azusa, CA, 1976), and an M.Div. Degree from Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, IN, 1992). Chaplain Lee is married and has four children.

Chaplain Steve Lee, Executive Director; Rev. Dennis Bestul, Pastoral Counselor; Karen Frusti, Exec. Asst.,  Elaine Lee, Administrative Asst..

Mr. Thomas Denniston (Denver, CO); Rev. Martin Frusti (Ontario, OR); Mr. Sid Germeroth (CPA, Aurora, CO); Lt. Nick Gottuso (Hillsborough PD, Menlo Park, CA); Ms. Karen Pascoe (Rocklin, CA); Mr. & Mrs. Tom Recine (Palo Alto, CA); Mr. Richard Schneider (Easley, SC); Mr. Jim Telle (St. Louis, MO); Mrs. Julie Weinhold (St. Louis, MO)

Dep. Steve Austin (Clackamas Cnty Sheriff's Dept., Salem, OR); Mr. & Mrs. Bill Blackburn (Ret. CA Hwy Patrol, Ukiah, CA); Dr. Eugene Bunkowske (Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN); Sgt. Denny Conroy, Phd (St. Paul Police Dept., St. Paul, MN) Spec. Agt. Joe Gordon (BATF, Phoenix, AZ); Cliff Hinson (ret'd LAPD, Colo Spgs); Rev. B. Steve Hughey (Dir. For Mission Partnership & Involvement, LCMS, St. Louis, MO); Rev. Dean Kavouras (Parma, OH); Dr. Robert Kolb (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO); Chief Mark Kroeker (Portland,OR PD); Sgt. & Mrs. Bob McMenomey (Sonoma Cty Sheriff's Dept., CA); Capt. Berle Murray (Mendocino Cnty Sheriff's Dept., CA, ret); Officer Dave Nelson, (Colorado Spgs PD); Jackie & Blake Schwabenland (Visalia, CA); Capt. Jennifer Steck (Denver Police Dept., CO); Chief Tom Wagoner (Loveland Police Dept., CO)

Midwest: Rev. Kevin Dean (IL); East: Rev. Matthew Ristuccia (NJ); West: Rev. Donald Jordan (CA); South: Rev. Randy Winkel (FL); Northwest: Rev. Don Peterman (ID) Southwest: Chaplain John South (AZ)