Church Security and Event Security training is becoming more critical by the moment. Horrific events such as the multiple attacks at places of worship such as New Zealand, San Diego, Sutherland Springs, or even the Vegas shooting which occurred at a concert are all well documented examples of changing times. In the realm of safety and security, changing times also means changing tactics.
As the team here at S2 Strategic Defense has now started working with churches, mosques, schools and other facilities that hold large congregations of people, we often hear a particular line of reasoning against building security teams that can be extremely problematic. The reasoning that I am referring to is “We have police outside already.” Although that might be true, they are referring to the officers who are helping direct traffic. Some of these officers may end up on premises afterwards, but more often return to duty elsewhere after the traffic logistics are handled.
When it comes to developing a security team, a group of individuals tasked with the safety of the patrons and facility… it is best to develop such team with the specific objective. Certainly the officers directing traffic are an asset but they should not be the “go-to” team.
You might be asking “why” so let me bullet point a few reasons why traffic officers are NOT a part of the security team:
- Usually they are posted off premises, and when their task is complete they leave.
- Many of the officers are not familiar with the logistics of the floor plan
- Most of the officers are not familiar with team members inside
- If the officer is posted outside, there will be a required time for them to receive information, make it into the building, sort thru the flocks of people moving about, identify not just a shooter BUT the actual criminal. That means that all of the other citizens who may have stood up with a firearm are now considered “armed individual.”
A security element that is tasked with the safety of the facility/patrons should have the following protocol:
- Meet/Greet (Pre-Event) Meeting. This is so all of the individuals involved become familiar or recognizable with each other. It is important that everyone knows who the other team members are on a recognizable level
- A walk thru of the facility noting all entrances/exits
- Zoned areas in which each individual will be patrolling or stationed. Not all zones have known security members
- If needed, a designated person for the pastor/religious leader. Usually this person also has the best visual advantage of what/who is entering the main area
- Immediate Lock Out method if needed
Based on those fundamental elements, it should be pretty obvious why traffic detail should not be considered as a part of the security element. That being said, those officers are considered as a layer of defense for a couple of obvious reasons. They may be a deterrent simply by their presence or they may be a forward observer in the case that they see suspicious behavior early on, and if they do make it into the facility then they are one more person on the right team. For those reasons, all security teams should also take a few moments to introduce themselves to the officers prior as well.
In the development of church or event security, there are many details that need to be covered. Training, schedule, logistics, law enforcement interaction, off-duty law enforcement vs armed citizen, communication, floor plans, and much more. Those elements are handled in the actual training and consultations, but before we get there it is important to first handle the wrong mindsets and eliminate the potential problems that we create for ourselves.
Be Well, Be Safe!
Nik Farooqui
