Do We Need Uniforms in Church Security? // Church Security Tips // Church Security Basics

[@kurtbaier6122]

Our Greeters are the security team. One says welcome to our Church my name is Kurt. The other side says Security Team Leader or member and full name. We also carry Security high vis vests in a small backpack if Police have been contacted. We wear our vests during VBS. We also carry Battlesteel ballistic plates and a robust IFAF in the backpack as well.

[@GRich-nl8ks]

Thanks for info. Love your videos. I am a police officer of 12 years and started a security team at our church. What we do is have the IDs on bright yellow lanyards under our shirts and all carry in our pocket a yellow wrist sweat band that can be quckly put on in an emergency. Myself and the asst Paster met with our localpolice dept and passed on this info so if they are called out our team members can be quickly identified by responding officers.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

That is a great idea and I am glad you met with your local police department. That is great info for all of us reading this. Also very happy that your church has you and your experience to keep them safe!!

[@gregburkhomes]

Great message. As part of the security team, we have uniforms for the days I'm on regular duty. However, as director of our parking team, I wear a different shirt when I'm in the lot welcoming every person that comes to the building. We are all in communication with 2-way radios in case of emergency.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

That sounds like some great ops Greg! Thank you for sharing with others here, so they see what you are doing with shirts/uniforms.

[@tjbishop8823]

Uncover is the best

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks TJ for watching and commenting!

[@scottstrait3415]

Yes, a "uniform" of some type let's the good guys know where to go if they have a question. It also identifies them to the bad guy and could make them a target. There are "Miss America" style banners that are worn in a pouch on a belt and can be deployed if an emergency arises. Each type of identifying uniform has a place. Great video!

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thank you for sharing Scott !!

[@oepolish]

A uniform is a visual deterrent and also provides to the police (should they be called) a visual conformation that I'm the good guy. And makes me identifiable at distance

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Sorry I missed your comment earlier James. Thank you for your input into our community !!

[@tjbishop8823]

Green vest

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Yes that might be a great identifier vest and color!

[@sax5055]

UNIFORMS: it’s worth noting that, at least in Texas, you can not wear a “security” shirt unless you are licensed by the State. Texas recently allowed churches to provide their own security, but they still can not wear anything that says Security…go figure. I’m a licensed armed Security Officer in Texas and work at multiple churches at all kind of events. Most churches are not aware of the liabilities and issues they take-on when they jump into the Security game. Peace and blessings folks…be vigilant…awareness is to pinnacle of your protection.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thank you for stopping in Sax, we appreciate your comments for all to read in this community. Thank you for what you do to help churches in Texas!

[@sax5055]

@@ChurchSecurityAnswers You’re quite welcome. Here’s an update from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which governs private Security licensing. “Updated September 1, 2019 Senate Bill 2065 (85th Leg., R.S.) exempts a person from the requirement to be licensed under the Private Security Act (Occ. Code Chap. 1702) when providing volunteer security services on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship. The individuals providing such services may not wear a uniform or otherwise give the impression that they are peace officers, personal protection officers, or security officers. Should the individuals wear a uniform or any apparel containing the word "security", or any other items or apparel that gives the impression they are security officers or personal protection officers, they would be subject to the licensing requirements of the Private Security Act.” I personally don’t like it, because if a security-volunteer has a threat on the ground and a gun pointed at him/her, the Police have no ready means of immediate identification. They’re both in normal civilian clothes. I’m in full uniform with Sam Brown Duty Belt, vest, a shirt with embroidered badge, and a metal badge on my belt. It’s hard to tell me from a Peace Officer, unless you’re close enough to read what’s on my shirt or badge. I still worry about a “blue-on-blue” mishap, because responding police don’t know me. Anytime I have to call local PD, I make sure they know I’m a uniformed-armed-security Officer on site, and I have always managed to have my duty weapon holstered and my hands out. Thanks for helping educate our small community of security personnel.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

@@sax5055 Yes even though the opportunity to be mistaken might be a rare situation, I share that concern. Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@tjbishop8823]

Parking lot is great

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks TJ for watching and commenting!

[@tjbishop8823]

My name is TJ bishop central church Sioux falls SD

[@tjbishop8823]

Love your way

[@mwalsh5757]

We do not identify as security directly. We concealed carry in plain clothes most of the time. We do have plate carriers with security tags and badges that we can wear for visibility when necessary and if we can get them on in time for our own protection during an active shooter incident. But they’re mostly to identify us as good guys for when the cavalry arrives.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks for sharing Michael

[@tjbishop8823]

Central safety team

[@stanleychamallas2331]

Captain Joe Puckett: What is your website please thank you Stan

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hey Stan, you can find more info at www.ChurchSecurityAnswerMan.com Thanks for watching and leaving a note!

[@MichaelHenriques]

My take is that if your final or huge part is what yhe congregation thinks about it, then you are giving them too much power. Its great to get feedback to perfect yiur system, however, be it a designated head of security or the lead pastor, that is who makes the call and shouldnt think of how the "congregation" isngoing to be offended. They should be thinking on the best way to keep the church safe. Not who might be offended.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hey Michael thank you for taking time to share, I do think ministry leaders have to make tough decisions sometimes, but I also do believe ministry security is about balance. Balance between and warm and welcoming environment and security members that are ready to take care of a situation that might arise. So I would not rule out some feedback from attendees of the ministry. But I agree, that sometimes we might have to make tough decisions too.

[@MichaelHenriques]

Captain Joe Puckett feedback is good. But though i dont work in chirch security, i have worked in many types of.others. i have found that sometimes then client either asks for too much and or the sales persona/manager getting the contract gives in too much. Balance is good, but the overall decision has to be whats best for security. Sometimes that uniforms, plainclothes or a combo of both. Just my opinion, getting the firearms aspect our of it, because thats its whole sub catagory, i believe in a church setting where more then likely all oersons will be volunteers or just part time, anyone who is part of the logisitics of the church needs to be trained in security situations. The pastor, the greeter, heck even the guy running the sound and or lighting. Anyone who isnt just there for the service needs to be trained. Also, just imo if you are to have armed persons, only the people armed and the pastor should know who is armed. Does two things. 1. It throws the person off because they dont know who is carrying. I.e. element of surprise and 2. The regular chirch goers dont need to know who is carrying. Keep it low key and sraritigic places. I can keep going lol. Safe safe

[@martialtacticaldefense4739]

In a church setting, you have to make visitors feel comfortable and safe, but not intimidated with overbearing security personnel giving them the third degree if they are new or don't fit in. Being passive aggressive is the best approach. We haven't had one complaint about our team. So many have expressed their gratefulness for our service and protection. It's very rewarding to serve in this manner.

[@tjbishop8823]

Church safety team

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

I like it!!

[@tjbishop1400]

green is good

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Yes green is a great color for security team shirts...thanks for the comment

[@davidjohnston351]

Nice video but you did not touch on armed security in the Church what is your thought

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

I do spend a lot of my time talking about things other than armed and church violence, because statistically, that is not going to happen to every church. What we all need to be prepared for are the other things like medical emergencies, people interrupting services and protecting our children. Those are items we need to get prepared for, as they are more likely to be a problem, than an active shooter. But we still have to talk some about active shooters.

[@MichaelHenriques]

Captain Joe Puckett medical response is something that can prib happen. When i worked mall security one of our most called out things were for medical. Slip and fall to full on cardiac arrest. Medical i think is huge in having a complete system.

[@martialtacticaldefense4739]

My team does non-violent scenario based training with actors. Verbal judo, deescalation and compliance skills are much harder to develop than shooting a gun. Most church related incidents don't involve violence. I do support armed security so long as their is proper training.

[@janenorton1813]

At our church we identify ourselves with a bright green lanyard and our name tags are the same color. Our greeters wear the same type of nametags that are yellow, and they have different color lanyards...bright green is only security. I have been conflicted on the uniform question. One of my biggest nightmares is that we have an incident in the church where law enforcement responds, or another concealed carrier in our church draws and ends up shooting a team member because we are not identified well. I know there are pros and cons to the uniforms, but do the pros outweigh the cons? I like the banner, cap, wrist band, or vest idea if something goes down...any thoughts?

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

I don't think that it takes a lot to be identified as a good person with a gun. Lanyards with name tags begins to identify you as official. We can add to that system by asking your people at the door or send someone to the door as part of your plan that as police arrive we are telling them that you have good guys with a gun inside. Also at the time we call 911 that we have good guys with guns inside. There are many scenarios as you mentioned, that COULD happen. The last thing I want to remind you is statistically it is not likely that you will have an active shooter event at your church and then several statistics that it won't go down the way we imagine or plan for as we are discussing. What does happen is everything else like medical emergencies, service interruptions and disputes like custody or domestic stuff. By the way, just plain concealed carry folks, tend to delay quite a bit in taking action. When they are not well trained, they tend to be the last ones to do anything after their limbic freeze occurs. So I think bright green lanyards with name tags is great in my opinion........but I would encourage you to seek out a system of identification that makes you feel comfortable if you are in that position or can suggest that to the team! Great sharing with our community, thank you Jane for this topic! Awesome!

[@janenorton1813]

@@ChurchSecurityAnswers Thanks so much for the response. You make several good points. We do train on the more common types of emergencies, and we are building our team on a great foundation of training. Thanks again. I appreciate your videos and information that you share.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

@@janenorton1813 Sounds like you folks are doing great! Thanks for protecting your people and your church!!

[@ALCANTARA831]

hello God bless, in the Church I am trying to organize a security team. our Spanish-speaking churches. Do you know someone in Houston Texas to help us with that? Thank you

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

No I do not have any contacts in that area. Is there specific questions I can try to answer to help get you going? You can email me at [e-mail]

[@ronaldhiler7449]

Hey chief you can bet your bucks that there are a lot of people in our congregation who pack heat. All of us that do are former law-enforcement and our highly educated for just reasons! 🤔🤨

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Ronald, I just ran across your comment and saw that I never replied. Thank you for leaving a comment and I am glad that you have such quality gun toters in your congregation!! That is awesome. Thank you again for sharing!

[@tjbishop8823]

Safety is better

[@tjbishop1400]

church safety

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hello Tj thank you for watching and your thought

[@tjbishop1400]

church saftey