Watching over those who watch over us

Bluewatch is a Christ-centered organization dedicated to advancing the professional, emotional and spiritual development of law enforcement and their families.
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Our Story through the eyes of an officer’s family.

Just the Facts

More than ever, officers face sobering statistics that underscore the stress and sacrifice inherent in their personal and professional lives.
The numbers speak for themselves.

Our Mission

At BlueWatch, our mission is simple.  When we say that we “watch over those who watch over us,” we mean just that.  We provide support to the men and women serving in law enforcement through workshops and seminars, mentoring, professional services, and service opportunities.   We know that now more than ever, officers are faced with challenges on and off the job that can affect their careers.  You can visit our About Us page to learn more about how we engage these officers on a personal level.

Pursuing Our Mission

At BlueWatch, our mission is measured by the number of officers we reach and the impact we have on departs across our region.  Our annual Summit certainly drives much of our outreach effort and qualifies as ongoing professional education credits for those in attendance.  Additionally, we reach out to officers during different times of their career in an effort to lend support, encouragement and guidance.

New Officer Initiative

An outreach to new officers and deputies training at the Jefferson Country Academy, Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy and The Wiregrass Law Enforcement Academy Blue Watch provides resources to these officers and deputies that are designed to help them deal with the traumas experienced in law enforcement.

Academy presentations – 8
Officers Reached – 327
Depts. Represented – 167

Officer Support

Anytime an officer is involved in an on-duty shooting incident or a department has one of their own commit suicide, Blue Watch reaches out with resources to help them cope.

Number of Responses – 19 Departments Represented – 19

BlueWatch Summit & Community Outreach

The annual summit is led by nationally acclaimed teachers and speakers that focus on the principles of leadership, wellness, and spiritual resiliency. We also do outreach at numerous community and lawenforcement events.

Officers Reached – 75
Departments Reached – 27

Annual Totals

Number of Responses – 19 Departments Represented – 19

In the past five years, since BlueWatch was founded in February 2019, we have had the honor of ministering to over 1,000 officers representing hundreds of departments from across the state.

Officers Reached – 1,920
Depts. Represented – 241

BlueWatch provides officers with the ability to connect with other law enforcement while receiving training that is relevant to their jobs and addressing spiritual needs. I found BlueWatch several years ago while attending one of their seminars. As a small town police chief and man of God, I found the information and training relevant for what I was dealing with in my life. Since that time I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge with BlueWatch by hosting classes at my police department as spiritual growth is as important as any aspect of our careers. 

Joseph Stanford

In today’s social and political environment, law enforcement is under attack. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure our heroic law enforcement officers are mentally and spiritually prepared to face the everyday challenges of keeping peace in our communities.

Blue watch is a valuable resource for these officers.

Keith Gamble

Several years ago, Burke Swearingen told me and my husband about his vision of creating an organization that would support first responders, specifically, police officers. We immediately made a  donation toward Blue Watch, knowing that many prayers were lifted up to make this affiliation possible. Blue Watch continues to grow its services and provide much needed encouragement for those who put their lives on the line everyday, and establish ways to unite the community and the police force. Thankfully,small and large donations keep Blue Watch alive and well.

Sonia Carrington

BlueWatch is proud to have the support of our Partners.

And thankful for Community Support

Funding

This is a non-profit organization that attempts to provide the greatest amount of service possible at the least cost possible. Our desire is to provide service to the officers for free or at a very low cost. Support comes from churches, businesses and individuals. Contributors also help by contributing goods or in-kind services.

Burke Swearingen, Executive Director

Burke has had a passion for law enforcement since a young age and often dreamed of being a police officer. While attending college at Auburn University he decided to pursue a law enforcement career and joined the Auburn Police force as a reserve officer in 1980. After college, he served with the Jackson, AL Police Dept before joining the Homewood Police Department in 1984. Burke served in Homewood for 23 years and retired as Chief of Police in 2007. In 2007 he joined the private sector and currently holds the position of Physical Security Manager with a large Birmingham based corporation.

For most of Burke’s adult life, he has been actively involved in the youth ministry of Shades Mountain Baptist Church. However, in 2015 he felt the Lord telling him to do something different, something that would take the gospel message outside the church walls. After a series of events over that next year, the Lord began to show him that he wanted Burke to begin a ministry that focused on the needs of police officers and their families. After much prayer and counsel, he decided to launch a ministry and in early 2019 formed Blue Watch. Blue Watch is a nonprofit dedicated to the professional, emotional and spiritual development of law enforcement officers and their families.

Burke lives in Birmingham, is happily married and is the proud father of two teenage children.