Posts by Jeff Williamson
Church Security Training: More Than a Legal Requirement
Mississippi Code §49-9-171 provides a legal framework for church security teams and grants certain immunity protections to team members who are acting within the scope of their duties and in accordance with the law. Those protections are important, but they do not replace the need for proper training, sound policies, and regular practice. Under Mississippi…
Read More...BOLO Notices and Church Security: Intelligence, Not Gossip
I once heard a young church security team leader say, “I don’t like gossip.” My response was simple: relevant, timely information isn’t gossip—it’s intelligence.A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) notice may be one of the most valuable tools a church safety team has when preparing for a potential near-term issue. When used correctly, it helps…
Read More...LONG GUNS FOR CHURCH SECURITY?
When working with church security teams around the state, we are often asked, “What about deploying a long gun (rifle) in the role of church security?” Short answer: Yes — a long gun can be part of a church security program, but it raises legal, logistical, and operational tradeoffs that make handguns and well‑trained personnel…
Read More...Visible vs. Low Profile Church Security: A Layered Best Practice Approach
By Jeff Williamson and Joey Howell A question that comes up in nearly every church safety discussion is whether security team members should be clearly visible or operate in a low profile, undercover manner. People sometimes treat these as opposing strategies, as if a church needs to choose one or the other. In reality, the…
Read More...Practice Your Discomfort
By Paul Bird and Jeff Williamson Far too many people only hit the range when the weather is perfect—sunny skies, mild temperatures, and no football game to miss. In Mississippi, that might give you three or four good days a year. But if the only time you train is under ideal conditions, you’re building skills…
Read More...Church Security: Overcoming Challenges to Keep a Team Strong
By Jeff Williamson & Paul Bird Church security teams play a vital role in protecting congregations, but keeping a team strong and engaged is not always easy. Over time, every group faces challenges such as declining numbers, burnout, and a loss of focus. The question is not only how to recruit and retain members, but…
Read More...Getting The Message
Reliable and timely communication for a church security team is critical to ensure the effectiveness of the team. Team members must be able to disseminate information during “non-duty hours” for rosters, schedule changes, relevant training opportunities, and more. However, for this topic we want to focus on technologies and devices your team may use while…
Read More...Standards for Church Security Teams
It is imperative that armed church security teams enforce training and performance standards for members relative to their firearm skills. In the words of Tom Givens, Rangemaster Firearms Training Services, LLC, “There are no misses in gunfights, only unintended hits.” With the physical confines of a church building, and the likelihood that many people will…
Read More...Pistols in the Pew: Selecting a Firearm for Church Security
While not all church security team members need to be armed, the harsh reality is Church Security Teams (CSTs) need to prepare and stage a potential armed response inside the church’s buildings. It’s not for the faint of heart. Armed security personnel must accept and prepare for the reality that he or she may be…
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