Several People Have Asked Me About Starting A Church Security Team

[Smoke]

First I want to make it clear that what I am about to post is my opinion based on my experience. I am not speaking for my church, I am not speaking for my church’s security team, I’m not on staff at my church and I don’t hold any type of leadership position on my church security team. I also am not an employee of nor am I speaking for the company that does our insurance underwriting and who helped us set up our church security team.

I have had a lot of people send me PMs asking me how to set up a church security team or asking me for the contact information for the leaders of our security team. I have spoken to the team leaders and they gave me permission to give people their email address and of all the times I’ve given it out not one person has followed up and contacted them.

So, one morning before service I was discussing the people that have asked me for this information with the guy who’s email address I was giving out and both he and the head of security told that what I really needed to do was give people the contact information to our insurance company (who I am not going to name in this post).

After the New Life Church shooting church security became an industry and like any industry there are industry standards. You can’t just have a couple of Bubbas pack heat in church and call it good any more.

One of the things that I have found out since I got involved in this ministry is that as soon as you set your self up as church security you incur legal risk. Sooner or later you are going to have to lay hands on someone in the course of your duties and as soon as you do they are going to sue your church.

The hands on tactics and tactical stuff can be taught to your team by any reputable trainer. What’s often overlooked is the legal and liability issues inherent in doing this type of ministry.

That’s where this insurance company comes in. they are very highly respected, and they have made it their ministry to help churches set up security ministries in such a way that they exceed the minimum industry standards for church security. They take the lessons they’ve learned from working with other churches and teach your church how to incorporate them.

If you want the name of the insurance company PM me

 

[LonChaney]

Where can one find these industry standards?

 

[Smoke]

Where can one find these industry standards?

I'm not sure how to answer that without turning this into an advertisement for a given company.

Maybe “Industry standards” was the wrong term but there are certain criteria that you have to meet before you can get any type of liability insurance. That said I presume that the church security industry does have a set of standards that they make churches adhere to if for no other reason than because it minimizes their financial risk

I don’t know the nuts and bolts details of how this works but in today’s world you have to factor liability issues into your plans.

The underwriting company we go through stipulates what type of background check we have to do on our nursery workers, our ushers, anyone who does stay at home or hospital/ nursing home visits, Pastors, anyone who works with “at risk” individuals and the security volunteers.

By meeting that standard it’s pretty hard to say the church was negligent if there’s an issue. If we don’t adhere to their standard they don’t insure us or if there is a claim and the person involved didn’t pass the background check the church is liable for damages.

Off topic but
Jeanne Assam is Still Waiting | 5280

There’s really interesting article in 5820 magazine this month about Jeanne Assam, after the New Life Shooting her life went into the crapper. No one will hire her as a cop, she had a falling out with New Life, she’s unemployed and living off the charity of a friend in Denver

 

[Smoke]

2007 Colorado YWAM and New Life shootings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A little light reading for you

 

[amazingflapjack]

Proverbs 3: 5-6

 

[WaMike]

Our parish was one of the first in the Pacific NW, and it....as well as any other congregation....that stays where originally sited, often ends up in a section of town with a higher crime rate. And often, far from the 'burbs.

Not coincidentally, part of those churches' mission is to help those who are less fortunate.

So it's a fact of life that there are some very beautiful and historic churches in maybe not the best parts of town. Security is a must, but it must be conducted in a way that is sensitive with the message of Jesus Christ.....not an easy task, to be sure.

 

[SMSgt]

You need to check your state's laws closely. In forming a "security team," you become an armed security service, whether paid or not, and enter a whole new ball field. You may be required to have a different firearm license (In FL, armed security is required to have a "G" license).

 

[CO_Kid]

After the New Life Church shooting, a lot of churches also hire extra duty officers during services.

There’s really interesting article in 5820 magazine this month about Jeanne Assam, after the New Life Shooting her life went into the crapper. No one will hire her as a cop

To be honest, I don't think that had anything to do with the shooting.

 

[sgtsandman]

Proverbs 3: 5-6

True but the Bible also says that God helps a man who helps himself. Just trusting in the Lord isn't the complete answer.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I'm gonna step out in traffic here and propose that there is a certain level of church budget below which this level of security would be a nonstarter . . .

 

[Seven3]

I am a lawyer, and my practice is primarily insurance law. While I am not generally opposed to the idea of a church security team, there are a number of things a church and potential team members should consider before going down that road. First, make sure your church has some sort of corporate existence (typically a nonprofit corporation) so that members are shielded from individual liability. Don't just assume that an entity exists, confirm it. You'd be surprised how often churches mess that up. It's also a good idea to amend the corporate charter and/or bylaws to make it clear that the church has the authority to form a security team. Next, make darned sure that the church insurance policy covers actions of members acting as security officers. Your insurance agent will be able to help you, and the insurance carrier may also be willing to assist with policies and training requirements. Make sure everyone on the security team, if armed, comply with all state laws regarding permits and licensing. Finally, and maybe most importantly, consult a local attorney to assist with all of the above issues. Not trying to generate work for my brethren, but this is something that should be undertaken with a great deal of caution because the potential liability exposures are so great. Best of luck to you and your church.

 

[Triathloncoach]

Sounds to me that you are significantly more likely to get sued or worse than to prevent any crime. I certainly would not employ amateurs to be your armed security team.

 

[Bekeart]

Agree with the above post by Seven3.

It is much better and cheaper to involve a lawyer before an incident.

Bekeart

 

[Smoke]

You need to check your state's laws closely. In forming a "security team," you become an armed security service, whether paid or not, and enter a whole new ball field. You may be required to have a different firearm license (In FL, armed security is required to have a "G" license).

Did you catch the part where I said that we had what amounted to a professional consulting firm come on and go over all of that with us?

 

[Smoke]

I certainly would not employ amateurs to be your armed security team.

The majority of our security volunteers are active, POST certified peace officers, the rest are licensed security officers.

But thanks for your concern

 

[Muss Muggins]

I'm not sure how to answer that without turning this into an advertisement for a given company.

Maybe “Industry standards” was the wrong term but there are certain criteria that you have to meet before you can get any type of liability insurance. That said I presume that the church security industry does have a set of standards that they make churches adhere to if for no other reason than because it minimizes their financial risk

I don’t know the nuts and bolts details of how this works but in today’s world you have to factor liability issues into your plans.

The underwriting company we go through stipulates what type of background check we have to do on our nursery workers, our ushers, anyone who does stay at home or hospital/ nursing home visits, Pastors, anyone who works with “at risk” individuals and the security volunteers.

By meeting that standard it’s pretty hard to say the church was negligent if there’s an issue. If we don’t adhere to their standard they don’t insure us or if there is a claim and the person involved didn’t pass the background check the church is liable for damages.

Off topic but
Jeanne Assam is Still Waiting | 5280

There’s really interesting article in 5820 magazine this month about Jeanne Assam, after the New Life Shooting her life went into the crapper. No one will hire her as a cop, she had a falling out with New Life, she’s unemployed and living off the charity of a friend in Denver

What I took from this and the Wiki article is that nobody got sued . . .

 

[10mmauto]

"Several People Have Asked Me About Starting A Church Security Team"

You're kidding, right?

 

[Kanewpadle]

Smoke, no offense, but people should know better than to seek such advice from someone on the internet. Someone they don't know.

As stated prior, legal expertise is the first place to start.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Well, this took a little longer than I thought it would to head south, but it finally did . . .