Overview
We have talked to a number of people and groups on how to train and equip the team members. There are a number of basic items that are needed when you get to the point where it is more than one or two informal “sheepdogs” watching over the flock. The answer to this question comes in several forms which include the mission of the team, the level of support from the church management, the training level of the team members and the budget available. We have put together the following as an initial guide based on the “Level” of the Team Member and the focus of the church. To this end we need to classify the ability and training levels of our team members. We have defined these levels as follows.
Training Levels for the Church Security Officer
Level 1 – Entry Level with Basic Training
Level 1 is the basic volunteer that may not have any previous experience in security, personal defense or law enforcement. This person the the heart of the ministry and the starting position for all of the team members. The duties of the person can include parking lot assistance, information desk, children’s overview and general patrol. When you are first starting out, many of your team members will be placed in this level.
Level 2 – Standard with Extensive Training
Level 2 will compromise all of the duties listed above. This level has had general defensive training with hand to hand, joint locks, restraints, ASP Batons, OC Spray and possibly the Taser.
Level 3 – Senior Level with Advanced Training
Level 3 is the most demanding classification that we have. This Level 3 team members will have abilities and training requirements similar to a police officer. Specialized training should include low profile CCW techniques, active shooter training, basic executive protection skills, advanced Hand to hand defensive training. Not all churches will train their team members to this level. Not all team members are willing to make this training commitment.
Basic staff Equipment
Level 1
- Radio with ear bud
- Notebook and pen
- Flashlight
- Polo Shirt with team church/logo or ID Tag
- Cell phone.
Note – The radio, notebook and pen will be the highest use tools carried
Level 2
- All Level 1 items and the addition of:
- ASP Baton
- OC Spray for outdoor use. (I have concerns about using powerful OC in a crowded area. With some versions of OC Spray anyone with breathing problems can be affected within 30 to 40 foot of the spray areas when indoors.)
- Restraints available on on person
- Taser – optional, must be approved by the management team
- Folding knife – optional
Level 3
Level 3 is where the decision has been made to arm team members with deadly force weapons. Typically these are the members of the team who are police officers, former police officers with a CCW permit and suitably minded members with a CCW permit.
- All Level 1 and 2 items
- Duty weapon – approved by team leader
- Suitable holster
- Spare reload in suitable reload carrier
- Folding knife
When you get to Levels 2 and 3, the need for a strong garrison style belt will become obvious. The belt is the foundation that all of your basic tools reside on. A cheap thin belt that lets all the items move and shift does not permit quick access in a very stable position. As you move up the levels it becomes more difficult to avoid the bat belt feeling.
Summary
Suitable equipping the team members will make them successful in their duties. However, the equipment without the proper training creates a false sense of security. In order to properly equipt the team member you must know their abilities and training. To that end, I suggest that you use a rating similar to those shown above. In all cases, I recommend that this staff be fully trained and the training documented before moving up to the next rating level. During the course of the life of the team, you will find that you will have members at all levels. Some members may not want to complete all levels and desire to stay at Level 1 or Level 2. That is OK since we have a wide variety of tasks to handle and need the Lord’s children to complete them.
Make sure you comply with your State’s laws.
In Texas “church security” falls in a grey area.
We are not allowed to use “security” or similar in our name, wear uniforms (polo shirts qualify as do name tags with such wording) or otherwise present the image of security.
The Private Security Board is a little too full of themselves and has the ear of the DPS and State.
troglodyte -
I’m in Dallas and have recently joined my church’s security team. You mentioned above that:
“We are not allowed to use “security” or similar in our name, wear uniforms (polo shirts qualify as do name tags with such wording) or otherwise present the image of security.”
Is this due to the fact that they are worried people will mistake us as LEO’s?
I carry my handgun with me at all times as do the majority of the team members.
In response to the above answers do you guys mean you cant be considered security or that you have to be certified or go through security school to be able to do these things like wear security uniforms, etc.
kglover
They are specifically discussing Texas.
The Texas Dept of Public Safety will not permit a church to use the term “security” as part of their internal team unless the staff has completed the commercial courses required for a private security company and personnel.
This is not true for all states and a church really needs to research the requirements for their state.
Regardless of the state requirements, we have the requirement to train our teams to an acceptable standard even if there is not a state mandated level.
It can be very complicated depending on your state.