Jeff Huddlestone
THE Mount Gambier police station is part of the Limestone Coast local service area.
Officers and staff work to enforce the law and protect the community.
Each day, they face a number of challenges, including attendances at accidents and incidents, being the bearers of traumatic news, responding to breaches of the law, illegal and criminal activities.
Often, these duties are stressful, however, as well as their training, the police have access to the chaplaincy service to help them with empathy and a listening year.
For the last four years, that role has been provided by Mark Hann, who is also the pastor of the Jubilee Christian Centre.
He was born in Mount Gambier and has lived here all his life.
The 51-year-old is married to Tara and they have two daughters, Chelsea and Zoe.
Mark attended Grant High School, has worked as a chef, youth worker and school chaplain, before taking up the voluntary police chaplain role, which he loves and describes as a great privilege.
Mr Hann, who undertakes his chaplaincy each Thursday, believes it’s all about turning up.
“I do what I can as I walk around the station, chatting to different people and being there for them,” he said.
Mr Hann said there are various issues which the police face and about which he lends a listening ear.
“The best thing for me to do as a chaplain is to be there and just listen.
“Clearly, there are issues they are encountering in their day-to-day jobs as a troop out there and it’s for me to be in that space,” he said.
Mr Hann said police officers aim to keep the community safe when they put their uniforms on.
“They are taking a risk and do it for us and as a chaplain, I have been privileged to to be there and see what they have to face,” Mr Hann said.
He said the most satisfying aspect of his role is being there to listen, giving officers a break and hearing their stories.
“Just listen – that’s the most fulfilling thing for me,” Mr Hann said.
“The simple things make a big difference.”
The self-effacing chaplain said he prefers to focus on the work of police and volunteers rather than himself.
A group of women from his church provides soup each Thursday.
“We have some incredible volunteers at the police station – it’s a way to say thank you.”
An important part of the chaplaincy is the annual Memorial Day.
“It is a day when we remember those who have fallen, given their lives to protect us and keep us safe,” Mr Hann said.
“It only goes for three-quarters of an hour, it’s a sombre moment , but an incredibly important one.
“I’d like to see more of a community – focused event.”
He said the police see and deal with tragedies.
“And they have to tell families that their son or daughter isn’t coming home – that’s very very hard,” Mr Hann said.
“While they have been trained to go through that, it does not make them any less impacted by that emotional experience
“Police do not know what they are going to step into each day.”
Pastor Hann described the police response to his chaplaincy service as great .
“I have just been warmly welcomed,” he said.
“They have all been very kind.
“I am never part of the force and I don’t need to be – I am the chaplain there.
“Not in my time have I been ostracised or pushed out.
“They are an incredible bunch of people.
“Everyone is like family out there.
“What they have together is something beautiful and they need that,” Mr Hann said.
