Tony Miano has been a deputy sheriff for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
since 1987. He served full-time until 2000, when he left full-time duty to pursue the ministry and to become a law enforcement
chaplain. Since then he has continued to work as a police officer, serving as a reserve deputy sheriff. During his time with
the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, he has served in many different assignments, including: patrol officer, training
officer, gang investigator in the Custody Division. He has been assigned to Santa
Clarita Valley Station since 1991. Tony has been the chaplain for the deputies
assigned to SCV Station and the personnel of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department since 2000.
In Ephesians 6, Paul describes the armor of God using an illustration familiar
to his readers—the Roman soldier’s attire. In his book, “Take Up the Shield: Comparing the Uniform of the Police Officer & the Armor of God,” Tony Miano
uses a contemporary equivalent—the police uniform—to give readers fresh insight into this well-known passage.
One reader of Take
Up the Shield: Comparing the Uniform of the Police Officer & the Armor of God said, “From time to
time, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) Chaplain Tony Miano tells the famously funny "dog bite"
story friends and supporters of 10-4 Ministries are familiar with. It is one of a few in this Deputy's life that reveals
the heart of this down to earth and amicable Police Chaplain as he traverses the hazardous road of a Christian in law enforcement.
As director of 10-4 Ministries, Chaplain Tony has now crafted another outstanding spiritual resource to add to the war bag
of the Christian community in the field.
Chaplain Tony's new book,
"Take Up The Shield," a unique publication that compares the various pieces of law enforcement equipment to the
spiritual armor that the Bible describes in Ephesians chapter 6, further reveals the heart of a Christian man who has learned
through experience in this dangerous field the critical importance of "putting on the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:11) What is uncommon about this distinctive publication, where
most are written by retirees drawing off past experience, Chaplain Tony works more than 120 hours a month as an active duty
patrol deputy and serves as chaplain-ministering to the needs of peace officers, on the streets.
As a non-sworn member of the
community in support of the LE community, with active duty cops who are dear friends and corresponding with many across the
nation as they face myriad challenges, knowing a hard-charger like Chaplain Tony is out in a radio car and immediately accessible
to the men and women of the LASD is a great blessing. Too many cops do not have access to experienced ministers like Chaplain
Tony. "Take Up The Shield" will be a great ministry resource in lieu of that.
What is more, this book is not
written so much by a cop, but by a Christian who is Spirit-filled and not ashamed to share his faith and point people to the
Lord Jesus as Savior. From a suspect in the back of his patrol car, to a first time youth offender being delivered into the
custody of his parents at the front desk of the station, Chaplain Tony exercises personal initiative in exploiting every opportunity
to present the Gospel to those most in need. It was the Lord Who said, "...They that are whole need not a physician;
but they that are sick." (Luke 5:31) The Christian men and women of law enforcement are, more than anyone else in the
Born Again, Spirit filled Church, on the point in dealing with the corruption and despair of American society, and that being
so, are critical players in the ongoing, daily outreach to this society by the Spirit of God. Chaplain Tony, in "Take
Up The Shield," models that beautifully.
That being said, Chaplain Tony's
book is a wonderful ministry resource for anyone to put into the hands of someone they know who is facing trials and hard
times. Someone who has "been there, done that" in the daily mental and spiritual combat of contending with contemporary
life in America, like Deputy Miano, is qualified to counsel anyone, in law enforcement or not, in prevailing through applying
the spiritual truths of the Bible and the promises of God to overcome. Furthermore, a lot of the conflict in our society between
law enforcement and the citizenry they are sworn to protect is the lack of communication and understanding between the two
camps. Law enforcement is an exclusive, isolated field, a mysterious, dangerous career choice that many citizens don't
fully understand. That mystery leaves a vacuum of understanding in the minds of many people when law enforcement is thrust
into the national media spotlight during controversial times and events, a vacuum that exploiters and special interest groups
are more than willing to fill up with lies. Chaplain Tony's approachable and good natured tone tears down those walls.
Finally, Chaplain Tony challenges the
reader to examine their heart and consider their personal relationship with the Lord, and if lacking, to come into that personal
relationship with Jesus Christ, and be saved. Ultimately, that is the final question, for Police officers and private citizens
alike. "Take Up The Shield" will prove to be invaluable as an evangelical tool in the hands of those who will follow
Chaplain Tony's lead in answering the great commission of our Lord to, "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)”
|