The program was established to supply the financially strapped police department with specialized services. The volunteer chaplains are recruited from the community and undergo a special training program in criminal justice, law, and police work. Chaplains provide counseling to employees and their families suffering from stress-related disturbances, as well as to inmates, and serve as mediators in grievance cases. In addition, chaplains may intervene in domestic disputes and assist rape victims or juveniles in trouble with the law. The volunteers may provide religious counseling to any of the groups cited. Assistance is rendered by the chaplains only at the request of the police after preliminary police intervention, if required. The work of the chaplains is aided by an advisory council consisting of police representatives. A formal policy statement outlines the program's purpose, chaplains' duties, on-duty policies, and chaplains' qualification requirements.