Continuing our discussion on the subject of church
security I want to talk about training.
Luke 6:47-48 tells us, “I will show you what he is like
who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a
man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a
flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it
was well built.”
Training is as important as a strong foundation. I’m sure you have heard the saying, “We
prepare for the worst and pray for the best.”
We train in the hope we will never need to use the training, but we
still train. My suggestion is that you
train multiple times during the year.
Train annually, quarterly, monthly and even an occasional impromptu
training time.
Let’s look at a few training topics and a short
description of each.
Mass Shooter Training
This training would include and utilize the basic skills
needed to stop a deadly threat on your campus.
Each team member who will be carrying concealed would be required to
attend at least three times a year. Team
members will learn to engage and stop the threat as quickly as possible.
It’s important to use as realistic physical scenarios as
possible to give each team member a better grasp of what can actually happen
during an active shooter event. The goal
of this training is to equip the team with the skills needed to end the threat
in the safest and most expeditious manner possible, which, in turn, will
minimize the casualty rate during the incident.
Live fire drills should include proper movement while
holding their weapon at the ready position, shooting while moving, shooting
from behind barricades, and team movement drills while shooting. You will also want to confirm that the team
member knows how to keep their weapon clean and maintained properly. Team members must know how to utilize cover
and concealment, and know the difference between the two. And finally, do they have the confidence to
engage the active shooter should the worst-case scenario occur in your
church.
I would also strongly suggest that the team qualify with
their handguns at least twice a year. If
there is a local in door range available, the church should pay for the range
time to encourage the team members to practice and qualify. They should qualify at a range of 21 feet,
firing 5 rounds, and get all rounds on target.
The team members would then bring in their targets to the team
leader. This is what I would consider
bare minimum.
Detain and Control Handcuffing Techniques
These techniques will train the team members the proper
way to detain and control a subject who is uncooperative or combative. The team will learn how to approach, detain,
control, and subsequently handcuff a subject while keeping themselves as safe
as possible.
Control holds are taught to gain control of a subject who
is a potential danger to the team and/or guests. The control holds consist of wrist locks and
arm locks that limit an uncooperative subject’s movement. Handcuffing techniques are designed to assist
team members in safely and effectively handcuff and control a subject.
Building and Room Searches
Team members are taught that the safest way to enter and
search a room or building is using two or three-person teams. Training should cover both occupied and
unoccupied buildings. The goal is to
give team members a variety of techniques to use while working at the church.
Child Custody and Civil Disputes
If possible, bring in an attorney with experience in child
custody and civil dispute laws. Team
members should be taught the proper way to handle issues of separated parents
trying to pick up their children from church.
Especially when they were not the parent that dropped the children off
at church.
If the parent does not have the pickup/drop off ticket,
then they do not have the authority to pick up the child/children. If there is no court order stating parental
rights, then the local police may have to be called to assist. Team members should never get in the middle
of child custody disputes or civil disputes.
They can only stand by to maintain the peace.
Flashlight Usage and Tactics
This training will teach the proper use and maintenance
of flashlights. A working flashlight is
an important tool to have at all times.
It’s important to understand how to use it to conduct searches and
low-light contacts of individuals that require your attention.
Interviewing Techniques
This training teaches team members the proper way to
conduct interviews of individuals regarding incidents on the church
property. They will be taught to ask
appropriate questions pertaining only to the incident being dealt with. Information such as name, address, birthdate,
and other information in case the incident turns into a crime report.
Observational Skills Training
Head on a swivel—this training will teach them to always
be aware of their surroundings. Whether
they are checking hallways, transporting money to be counted, or patrolling
parking areas, they must know how to address people who stop them to talk or
ask questions. They need to let these
people know that the team member has a job to perform and will be right back to
give them assistance. They will also be
taught to read body language. Also, as
they are patrolling the property to be aware of safety issues such as broken
pavement tripping hazards and blocked fire lanes.
Proper Radio Etiquette
This training encompasses the proper usage and
terminology for your radios. They will
learn to only say what is needed and not block the frequency when needed for an
emergency. Proper radio code usage
should be taught so the church radio traffic is not broadcast to the community
around them.
Report Writing
All team members should be taught the proper way to write
incident reports and gather all pertinent information. They need to understand that their reports
may end up being used in court if the incident ever leads to a charge, so you
want to reflect professionalism.
Good report writing requires attention to detail, an
understanding of the reasons why a report is required, and whom the audience of
the report will be. It will be planned
out in advance, will be factually correct and describe accurately the order of
events that took place in clear and concise language.
Be Safe!
Russ Sharrock
I have made available to anyone interested a FREE series of Do-it-Yourself forms that can be printed for your use:
1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment form.
2) Church Emergency Plan Template
3) General Fire Safety Checklist
4) A Bomb Threat Checklist
5) A Bomb Threat Distance chart for various types of explosive
devises to be referred to in the event of a bomb threat evacuation. These
are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of blast.
They’re Word documents so you can make any changes necessary to fit
your church size and needs. I will be adding new forms as time
allows.
For a copy of any of the Do-it-Yourself forms, or if you have any
questions, you can contact me at: integritysecconslt@mail.com
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