Churches are safe places to gather – but the threat of violence is real. In fact, incidents of serious violence in places of worship happen more often than you may think – and mass shootings are on the rise. Places of worship need to be prepared to handle such incidents if they want to protect their congregants and staff. That’s why 4 out of 5 pastors report their churches have some type of security measure in place.
A church security insurance program starts with a thorough vulnerability assessment of your church campus. A qualified professional security consultant can conduct this assessment and recommend improvements. You can also hire a private company that specializes in providing security assessments and training to help you prepare for a variety of scenarios.
Church Security Plan Guide: Protecting Your Congregation
After your church establishes a security committee and builds a security plan, the next step is identifying and recruiting volunteers. Make sure your security team members are properly trained and equipped to respond to a traumatic incident. This includes having multiple trauma kits staged on your property, along with volunteers who know how to use them.
It’s also important to confirm your church’s liability insurance coverage includes church security team members (both volunteers and paid guards). It should cover them when they’re acting within the scope of their duties when protecting people and property. Many policies will also cover their out-of-pocket legal expenses when they’re sued over their actions – especially those that include the use of force in a lawful manner.
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