Chaplaincy Program

The Chaplain for the Brandon Police Service serves as a confidential spiritual and emotional resource person to the officers and staff at the Brandon Police Service and their families. This position is one forged in trust through a working relationship with police officers and staff. The Chaplain provides Member care regardless of one’s spiritual background and maintains a network with other faith ministries to liaise resources to satisfy officer’s personal faith preferences. The Chaplain offers public prayers at ceremonial functions, engages in personal visits with officers, staff and families at work, home or hospital, and provides personal prayer for peers upon request. Through a membership with the Brandon Ministerial Association, the Chaplain meets with religious leaders from various denominations on a regular basis for prayer for BPS Staff and for the City of Brandon.

In January 2015, Constable Bruce Ewanyshyn became the first Sworn Police Officer in BPS history to volunteer for the role of Chaplain. Bruce is a 32+ year active Member of BPS currently assigned to specialized duty with the Forensic Identification Unit. This allows him a unique perspective and understanding of the daily stressors of policing, while enabling him to build upon existing relationships on a spiritual and emotional level. Bruce is one of the original members of the BPS Employee Wellness Team formed in 2016, and provides peer support including assisting with debriefs of critical incidents and wellness checks.

Bruce attained a “Ministry Related Certificate” in June of 2015, through the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. In March of 2021, Bruce received a “Certificate of Christian Minister” through Ministers Network Canada with whom he maintains an annual membership.  

In July 2019, Bruce and his wife Sheryl travelled to the Ukraine on a police mission’s trip to teach at the first training conference to establish police chaplaincy in Ukraine. In his dual role as both police officer and chaplain, Bruce served as a bridge between police officers and community and church leaders throughout Eastern Ukraine. Numerous meetings and educational sessions took place with the National Police and the Patrol Police in various districts of Eastern Ukraine. Bruce continues to be active teaching online sessions to Ukrainian police chaplains at the “Ukrainian Academy of Chaplains for Law Enforcement Agencies.” In recognition for his efforts, Bruce received a commendation and medal from Ukraine in November 2021.

In October 2022, Bruce presented police chaplaincy to state authorities and leaders of religious organizations in Tbilisi, Georgia via Zoom. This was the beginning of a current initiative to bring police chaplaincy to Georgia spearheaded by the chaplaincy coordinator in Ukraine.

Bruce is completing an elected two-year (2021-2023) position as President of the Canadian Police Chaplain Association (CPCA), and looking forward to a second term of service through 2025. Bruce’s focus with the CPCA is connecting police chaplains of all faith backgrounds across Canada through various means of communication including developing and launching a brand new website in 2021 https://www.canadianpolicechaplainassociation.com/. Within the CPCA, the Executive embraces and promotes inclusion and diversity, which reflects throughout their training curriculum. Bruce is also the Director of Region 1 of the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC). With connections throughout Canada, the US, and the world, Bruce is better equipped to serve BPS police officers and their families. Monthly, Bruce authors a thought provoking and encouraging message called “Hitting the Mark” which is provided to the staff at BPS.

Outside of BPS, Bruce is a casual Instructor at the Assiniboine Community College (14+ years), where he instructs on the forensics of crime scene attendance, processing and preservation of evidence. Bruce is on the Board of Directors for Glory 2 Glory Ministries, founders of Total Freedom Manitoba – a private, faith-based, residential alternative addictions facility located near Sidney, MB. Bruce and Sheryl serve as worship leaders for Resurrection Life Ministries, and enjoy various activities together including cycling, kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, and motorcycling.

Police chaplaincy is a passion for Bruce who considers the opportunities to serve his peers an honor and privilege.