Harley-Riding Monsignor Builds Trust as LAPD Chaplain Amid Mental Health Crisis

In Los Angeles, there’s a monsignor who rides Harley Davidson motorcycles alongside police officers. Monsignor Frank Hicks uses his role in the city’s Catholic church and his position as chaplain with the LAPD Chaplain Corps to build trust with law enforcement personnel by interacting freely during retreats, such as one for 70-80 officers that involved riding through Death Valley. The corps enlists clergy from various faith backgrounds who provide counseling services and spiritual guidance in a job where trauma is commonplace. LAPD chaplains work to break down stigmas around fears and emotions by offering compassionate ears, confidential sources, and support before officers seek help for mental health needs. The corps has grown significantly since 2020 with over 600 members across the US. Chaplain Kenneth Crawford says that chaplains offer a human entity to provide light during dark times in law enforcement by listening without judgment or trying to overwhelm others with religious beliefs, while Rabbi Israel Hirsch emphasizes treating officers as brothers and helping them overcome spiritual wounds through timeless assurances of trust. The LAPD Chaplain Corps has become the largest among its peer police departments nationwide after facing recruitment challenges due to high stakes tied to mental health issues in first responders, with 47 chaplains enlisted representing various faiths.