Knox County Sheriff s Office Church Security Seminar 2017
Objectives 1. Review the history and facts of past church violence 2. Identify the threats or violence that could occur in church environments 3. Provide an overview of a Emergency Operations Plan 4. Suggestions for developing a security team 5. Property threat assessment 6. Active Threat Response
Church Violence Facts January 1,1999- October 24, 2017- United States Total Number of Deadly Force Incidents- 1652 Total Number of killed and injured- 1497 Total Number of Homicides (Victims only)- 469
Church Violence Facts January 1,1999- October 24, 2017- United States Deadly Force Incident Breakdown Robberies- 331 (26%) Domestic Violence- 204 (16%) Personal conflict (non domestic)- 172 (13.5%) Mental Illness- 142 (11%)
Church Violence Facts January 1,1999- October 24, 2017- United States Gang Related- 114 (9%) Religious Bias- 76 (6%) Drug Related- 45 (4 %) Active Shooter- 9 (.005%)
Church Violence Facts Statistics from 2000-2017 (FBI) Active Shooter Incidents 9 59- Killed 47- Wounded First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, TX 26- Killed 20- Wounded
Church Violence Facts January 1,1999- October 24, 2017- United States Only 21.83 % of suspects are members or associates of the church where the deadly force incident occurred.
Where do these events occur?
Inside the building 26% Outside on ministry property 74%
Identifying Threats in a Church Environment
How do we identify threats? 1. Be aware of your surroundings. 2. Be vigilant! If you see something, say something. 3. Stay informed about community activities, events, demonstrations and incidents. 4. If you know of a threat, don t hesitate! Let law enforcement know immediately!
How do we identify threats? 5. Look for suspicious activity 6. Be aware of suspicious items or packages 7. Troubled members? 8. Follow up on tips from members 9. Create a system for reporting potentially violent behavior.
Overview of an Emergency Operation Plan www.fema.gov/plan
Emergency Operations Planning 1. Form a Planning Team Leaders and members of the church and security team First Responders
Emergency Operations Planning Responsibilities of the Planning Team 1. Develop a regularly scheduled meeting time. 2. Take time to collaborate with all team members. 3. Define and assign roles and responsibilities.
Emergency Operations Planning 2. Understand the Situation 1. Identify threats 2. Assess risks 3. Prioritize threats and risk
Emergency Operations Planning 3. Determine Goals and Objectives
Emergency Operations Planning 4. Plan Development 1. Identify a course of action. 2. Identify resources. 3. Identify information needs.
Emergency Operations Planning 5. Plan Preparation, Review and Approval 1. Form the plan. 2. Write the plan out. 3. Review the plan. 4. Have the plan approved
Emergency Operations Planning 6. Plan Implementation and Maintenance 1. Train the members of the team and congregation 2. Have preparedness exercises 3. Take time to review, revise and maintain the EOP.
Developing a Security Team
Security Teams Legal Considerations 1. Make the choice 2. Have a plan or not 3. If you have a plan, comply with the Private Protective Services Act (TCA- 62-35-101 et. seq.)
Security Teams Private Protective Services Act 3 Options 1. Private Protective Services Firm (Security Company) 2. POST Certified Law Enforcement 3. Proprietary Security Organization (Church personnel employed for security purposes)
Security Teams Liability Concerns 1. Talk to the legal team within your organization 2. Comply with the PPSA Document your compliance 3. If you implement a plan, failure to practice and comply with the plan can be an issue.
Security Teams Liability Concerns
Security Teams Roles of the Security Team
Roles of the Security Team Actively assess threat potential. 1. Entries and exits (locked or unlocked) 2. Problem areas (parking lot, sanctuary, nursery and classrooms) 3. Personnel (Armed or unarmed, radios, access to the facility)
Roles of the Security Team Deter Criminal Acts 1. Proper placement of the security team. 2. Restrict access to facility. 3. Display security signs. (No Weapons, Security Notice)
Bellevue Baptist Memphis, TN
Roles of the Security Team Respond to Incidents 1. Medical concerns 2. Fire Alarms 3. Suspicious Activity 4. Disturbances
Roles of the Security Team Assist in training church members and leaders in response to incidents 1. Set up training exercises and scenarios. 2. Participate in round table discussions with the congregation and leaders of the church.
Roles of the Security Team Invite members of the law enforcement community to train in your facility. SWAT Teams, K-9, and Bomb Teams for Active Shooter Scenarios
Active Shooter Response Fact Most active shooter incidents last 3-4 minutes. Problem Police response is typically 5-7 minutes.
Active Shooter Response Who is going to be the first line of protection until LE can arrive? 1. Pastor 2. Music Director 3. Sunday School Teacher 4. Members of the congregation 5. Janitor
Active Shooter Response Security Team Training! 1. Make sure you have an Emergency Ops Plan. 2. Practice for ALL emergencies. (Fire, natural disasters, etc.) 3. Practice active shooter scenarios. 4. Recovery- Are you prepared IF this happens?
Active Shooter Response FAST DECISIONS will SAVE LIVES!
Run, Hide, Fight
Police Security Captain Mike Ledbetter Mike.ledbetter@knoxsheriff.org
Questions? churchsecurity@knoxsheriff.org