 FROM THE DESK OF CHUCK CHADWICK:
State Security Laws and Regulations
We get calls from people almost every day about forming security teams in different states. The question is usually if state law requires security licensing for armed security teams. There is a lot of misinformation circulating. This article is not meant to be legal advice, but a snapshot as to how to start the process. It can be quite a challenge and a complex research project. Not only does it involve the state authorities but sometimes the city or county law enforcement authorities. Each state has its own laws with different requirements and penalties, from fines to jail time.
Examples:
Colorado - Colorado is regulated at the county and municipal level. In the city and county of Denver a security company or church must have a merchant guard license and post a liability bond. This is for both uniformed officers and plain clothed personal protection or executive protection work. Training is up to the licensed company. In Colorado Springs, only uniformed security is regulated. As far as we know the rest of the state has no security regulations.
Texas and Oklahoma - Both armed and unarmed security are regulated. Training by a state licensed security trade school and licensing under a state licensed security company is mandated.
For a full listing of regulations by state please click here to download the pdf file.
At a glance:
Here is a matrix developed by Church Mutual insurance company from one of their presentations. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the intel but it may help you start the process:
Why we have regulations and laws?
We ask, what is the value of training, licensing and liability insurance? There are those that insist that there is no need for states to regulate security services. Their premise is that security training isn’t necessary and should not be required for someone to be task with preserving the peace for gatherings of the public (like your church service).
An example of persons who think regulations and laws are only "tyrannical government" under the guise of "religious liberty " is the NEW “Texas Church Vigilante House Bill 421”. “Harsh, cumbersome and expensive” are among the labels now attributed to current professional security regulations that make sure that the officers that patrol our neighborhood churches are adequately trained. State representatives are petrified of opposing the bill under the premise of fear of being branded as coming out against the safety of churches.
Before we unleash throngs of untrained pistol packing parishioners on the unsuspecting public in their churches, please indulge me as I bring you a perspective from a person who has lived within the existing laws regarding security of houses of worship for over a decade in Texas.
Under Texas HB421 there would be no background check, absolutely no security training and no financial responsibility in the form of liability insurance. Anyone could put on a uniform, badge and firearm and merely say “I’m a volunteer, so I’m exempt from all regulations.”
Amid the fear mongering are tails that Texas law enforcement is rounding up people who are innocently just watching their children or walking in the parking lot. This is the new "fake news" to get churches exempt from any type of training so they can act as police and security officers.
Current Texas security regulations mandate that security officers are actually trained in legal security protocol and procedures. These include non-lethal hand-to-hand defensive tactics, non-lethal intermediate weapons, handcuffing and arrest and detainment procedures.
Texas HB421 basically says that persons that perform the function of a professional security officer don't need training and subsequent licensing because they don't need it and can't afford it.
In Texas, there are currently 68 professional occupations that require a license. Everything from an acupuncturist to a solid waste technician. Would you go to an unlicensed doctor to have an operation? Would you promote that people don't need auto liability insurance? Would you think that we don't need police who are trained in non-lethal force methods? This is the premise of Texas HB421. If all the training is a gun the old saying goes "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." We have professional licensing as a safeguard against persons who would perform services that need formal training and financial responsibility without the proof of such, like licensing and insurance. Under HB421, churches would designate persons with absolutely zero required security training to be task with the security of large gatherings of people. No insurance would be required in case of wrongdoing or inadvertence mishaps.
In the Texas state house DHS committee meeting on March 7, 2017 we heard from a gentleman that insisted the training and licensing wasn’t needed because these church security people were only doing security work for a few hours a week. That’s like saying a brain surgeon that only operates on your brain on Monday mornings a few hours doesn't need training or licensing.
There was also an argument that no background checks are needed because churches “know their people”.
As far as cost goes:
You can have zero accountability at zero cost or reasonable accountability at reasonable cost.
With accountability comes cost. There is no free lunch! If you pay nothing for something, that’s usually what it is worth.
I hope this helps you understand some of the issues involved in forming a church security team. These are my opinions and I’m sure there are other opinions.
God Bless and Highest Regards,
Chuck Chadwick
President
NOCSSM
(972) 712-8818
cchadwick@nocssm.org
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FEATURED CONFERENCE SPEAKER BIOS: Bryan Gray is a Department of Homeland Security Protective Security Advisor (PSA) assigned to the North Texas District. He serves as a security and resiliency subject matter expert and is the link between State, local, tribal, and territorial organizations and DHS infrastructure mission partners. PSAs perform vulnerability and security assessments on a variety of Critical Infrastructure to identify security gaps and potential vulnerabilities as well as coordinate training and supports special events and incident management.
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WHEN: AUGUST 4th and 5th, 2017
WHERE: Grace Church | Frisco, TX
The 2017 conference will highlight the Three Strands of Church Security. The study of
Strand  One will include templates of policies and procedures whereby each attendee can form their church’s security documents. You will definitely walk away from the conference with tangible, among other things, tools to enhance your church’s preparedness.
Make you plans and reservations soon.
God Bless and Highest Regards,
Chuck Chadwick
President
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NOCSSM Annual Membership | Our member churches have full access to all of our resources on our web site. Click here to join.
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ASCG is the Ultimate Men’s ministry. ASCG is not formally associated with any one church. We welcome any man who feels called to the ministry of protection.
Christian men sharpening each other. We meet locally in chapters, usually a member’s house, range, work, etc.
We discuss the monthly newsletter subject and share each other’s experiences.
Download our brochure for more information on how to join and membership benefits.
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