The Buenos Aires City Police graduated 1,022 new officers at a ceremony featuring an address from Pastor Osvaldo Carnival, Argentina's first Evangelical Police Chief Chaplain, who urged the new officers to serve with integrity, protect their families and trust in God.
The event was held at the Mary Terán de Weiss stadium and was attended by City Chief of Government Jorge Macri and officials from the Ministry of Security. With the new class, the force surpassed 28,000 active members, according to the Buenos Aires City Government.
Carnival's address came two years after the official creation of the Evangelical Police Chief Chaplaincy, established to provide spiritual accompaniment to force members and their families.
Addressing the graduates, the pastor reminded them that the uniform carries great responsibility but that their identity and values must remain firm.
"People will see your uniform, your badge, your weapon — but know that God will continue to see that boy, that girl, who came with so many dreams," he said.
He urged them to live with consistency. "Take care, first of all, of your integrity — be the same person everywhere; take care of your family, so that in protecting the city you never neglect your family; and finally, take care of your heart," Carnival said.
He also encouraged the officers to trust in God throughout their service. "In whatever post you are assigned, wherever you may be, God will always be at your side to accompany you. You will be able to pray to Him. He will hear you, He will help you, and He will always be at your side," he told them with emotion.
The Evangelical Police Chief Chaplaincy Section was created through Resolution 675/2024 of the city's Ministry of Security, published in the Official Gazette of the City of Buenos Aires. The regulation formally incorporated spiritual accompaniment into the police structure and established that the Chief Chaplain be proposed by the Pastors' Council of the City of Buenos Aires. The chaplaincy may also offer assistance to City Fire Department personnel and accompany officers' families.
Carnival said that in his meetings with cadets he sought to remind them that "behind every uniform there is a person, a family, and a vocation of service." He noted that many recruits faced moments of uncertainty during training and that several found in faith a source of support.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
