Creating a Security Team

Creating a
Security Team
Leadership Institute 2015 – The United Methodist Church of the
Resurrection
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1/1/1999 – 4/1/2015 1000 Deadly Force
incidents in Houses of Worship
•
549 total deaths
http://www.carlchinn.com/Deadly_Force_Incidents.html
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May 31, 2009 Scott Roeder murders Usher
George Tiller in Wichita, Ks
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To provide a safe and secure environment for
all who worship, visit and work here.
To be unobtrusive, promoting an atmosphere
conducive to a fulfilling and health worship
experience.
To be facilitator’s of God’s vision and purpose
for the Church of the Resurrection.
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To protect the Children
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To provide security for the Congregation
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To provide security for the Pastor & Staff
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To provide security for church assets
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Identifying
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Monitoring
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Enforcement
E mergency Preparedness
F acility Safety and Security
F inancial Safeguards
E mployee and Volunteer Safety
C hildren and youth Protction
T ransportation Safety
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Willingness to have weapons in the
church
Chemical spray Cap-stun / Mace
• Tasers
• Hand guns
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Criminal
Civil
Morally
For action taken or inaction
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Emergency Plans
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Standard Operating Procedures
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Incident Reports
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Retention, Review and Revision
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Team makeup
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Staff member and Laity Volunteers
All Laity Volunteers
Security Guards
Off-duty Law Enforcement
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Group Invitation
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Word of Mouth
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Publicized request for volunteers
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Pros:
Training
• State certification
• Experience
• Knowledge of offenders
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Cons:
Mindset : Enforcement attitude
• Unwilling to be directed
• History with congregants
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Armed or not armed
Observe and report
Decision making
Training
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State law
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Training
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Liability
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National Sex Offender Public Registry
www.nsopr.gov
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National Criminal Record Checks
First Advantage (Lexis Nexis)
www.employment.fadv.com
• Credit
• Driving Record
• Verification of Social Security number
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Surveillance Cameras
Radios
Flash lights
AED
First aid kits
Panic Buttons
ID/Access Cards
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Uniform
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Blazer/shirts
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Name badges
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Lapel pins
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Law enforcement agencies
Doctors / Psychologists
Military
Other team members
Red Cross - CPR / AED Basic First Aid
Cert (Community Emergency Response Teams)
Paid “Church Security Experts”
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Background checks
Offering security
Mission trip threat assessment
Personal Safety
Protect Church property
Medical First Responder
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THE “GO TO” PEOPLE
Other Internal Ministries
Missions
• Ushers
• Children / Youth
• Parking / Greeters
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Other Churches
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Network - Share lessons learned
QUESTIONS
AND
IDEAS
RESOURCES
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Center for Personal Protection and Safety
DVD’s
Safe Travel – Travel safety abroad
 Flashpoint – Workplace violence
 Silent Storm – Intimate partner violence
 Shots Fired – Active Shooters
www.cppssite.com
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Church Safety and Security –
A practical guide
By: Robert M. Cirtin
The Missing Ministry – Safety, Risk Management
and Protecting your church
By: The Guide One Center for Risk
Management
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www.churchsecurityalliance.com
www.nocssm.org
www.worldwideassistance.com/
www.praise.ga.gov/
www.google.com/alert
www.state.gov
www.travel.state.gov
www.smartraveller.gov.au
www.esisc.org/