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Safety Training for Houses of Worship

Violence in a Sacred Space

COULD IT REALLY HAPPEN TO US?

The statistics are staggering.

From 1999 to 2017 there have been over 400 attacks inside Faith-based organizations in the US where deadly force was used. Some assailants were strangers; some were members.*

*Research conducted by Carl Chinn

Security Options for Houses of Worship

Did you know that most Houses of Worship do not have

any type of dedicated safety or security team?

We can help with that.

Whether it is a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, religious institutions can be huge targets for violence, in order to instill fear, cause extensive fatalities, or to radically affect political agendas. Houses of Worship may be specifically targeted because they draw large groups of people (coveted by terrorists for mass casualties) who are often open and accepting of new people and/or those who seem in need of help (easy access due to the belief that there is little or no need for security measures) and where an attack would likely create wide media attention. However, taking even small and unobtrusive security measures (like a "Welcoming Committee" who greets people as they enter) can make a huge difference toward the safety of a congregation.

The Kenney Protective Agency is a secular, non-denominational organization who gives every congregation the same care and competency regardless of faith, location, or resources. And we are certified instructors for Sheepdog Chuch Security, which was developed by law enforcement personnel to guard and protect small to large size Houses of worship interested in faith-based safety teams.

Sheepdog Churc Security

We offer many options for the safety of your space, from facility assessments to implementing and training your own Volunteer Safety/Security teams to employing dedicated security officers. Please contact us for a free security assessment.

What we can do for you (See individual trainings below):

SECURITY ASSESSMENTS

We will meet with congregation leaders at your House of Worship and conduct a walk-through of the interior and exterior of the facility, review any past incidences, assess any current security plans/procedures/practices and discuss your Houses' specific needs and concerns.

 

Then, typically within one week, we will report back to you with your current security status, an identification of security vulnerabilities, identify resources, give recommendations that suit your House's needs, and furnish an inventory of services that we can offer.

SAFETY TEAMS

Having a dedicated Safety Team can give the congregation comfort knowing there are members who are keeping an eye over them and can direct them in cases of emergency. 

We will help establish, train, and implement the best Team for your specific congregation and need. The Safety Team will be the leaders during regular services, special events, and in times of crisis. We will train them in how to spot suspicious activities/behavior, active shooter safety, child protection, and what to do before, during, and after a natural disaster.

TRAINING

TRAINING

We can train your team, or even your whole congregation in a wide variety of areas such as:

  • Fire Evacuation

  • Child protection

  • Dealing with disruptive people

  • Severe weather and natural disasters

  • Becoming a shelter during disasters

  • Active shooter

  • Protecting yourself legally

  • and more

From Safety Team to Security Team

The state of New Jersey requires security officers to be certified. We are licensed to teach the classes required to become SORA certified. We can conduct a class for your whole team or a few key members. For more than 8 people, we can hold the class at your site!

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For more information on SORA certification, see our SORA page.

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PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Having dedicated plans to address multiple possible incidents is vital for your congregations' safety. Easier said than done! Let us help you create thorough, yet realistic plans that are specific to the needs of your House. 

IDENTIFY RESOURCES

There are many resources available to keep your House safe, but many people would not even know where to look. We can help you identify those resources, such as how, when, and where to do background checks; how to initiate a relationship with local law enforcement; and Federal and other government information and trainings (usually free!), and help you sift through the information relevant to you.

PROFESSIONAL SECURITY

For times when you need a professional, we will be there for you. Whether there is a wedding, a special speaker, or any large gathering, our professional security officers can help provide a safe environment where your congregation can enjoy themselves without concern.

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INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS

Choose one or multiple programs to be taught at your location:

Safety
Team Volunteer
Academy and Safety Ministry Launch

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • SAFETY / SECURITY TEAM VOLUNTEER ACADEMY- We will show you the best way to set up your Safety team, how to choose who is in it, policies and procedures, fundamentals of patrolling,  communicating, and responding to various challenges.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as a Safety Team Proposal and Applications, Background Check Policy and Authorization, Duty Descriptions, and Incident Reports.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Protecting Children from Abuse

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE - Sexual abuse of a minor has been the #1 lawsuit against religious institutions for years.  We will teach you basic child protection procedures, increase your awareness of the signs of abuse, how to identify areas of vulnerability, create effective procedures, and legally conduct background checks.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as a Child Risk Assessment, Unauthorized Persons Policy, Background Check Policy and Authorization, Class Roster, Duty Descriptions, Suspected Child Maltreatment and Incident Reports.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Disruptive Persons

and Verbal

De-Escalation

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • DISRUPTIVE PERSONS/VERBAL DE-ESCALATION - We will introduce the concept of verbal de-escalation and help you understand its importance in handling day-to-day security issues, teach the basic skills you need to stay calm and defuse potentially difficult security situations, and give you the opportunity to observe and practice verbal de-escalation skills.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as an Unauthorized Persons Policy, Radio Procedures, and Incident Reports.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Active
Shooter
Neutralization
and Lock-Down Drills

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • ACTIVE SHOOTER- We will teach you how to respond to an active shooter, depending on their location and behaviors, how to evacuate, and conduct drills and safety audits.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as various Risk Assessments, Incident Reports Communication Procedures, Lockdown Drill Lesson Plan for Children, and more.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Protect yourself knowing NJ

Use-of-Force

Laws

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE CHURCH IN USE-OF-FORCE LAWS IN NEW JERSEY -  We will introduce you to some of the legal considerations affecting safety/security teams in Houses of Worship, help you understand the legal responsibilities and limits of Safety Team members, and provide information that will help protect you and the church from criminal and civil liability.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as Duty Descriptions,  Unauthorized Persons, and Incident Reports.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 2 hours.

Arson and Fire Prevention

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • FIRE PREVENTION - We will go over how a fire works, how to conduct fire inspections, how to prepare a Fire Response Plan, how to evacuate if there is a fire, and when and how to do fire drills.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as Fire Drill Accountability Procedure, Fire Evacuation Plan, Radio Procedures, Fire Drill Lesson Plan, and various Incident Reports.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 2 hours.

Severe Weather

and

Natural Disasters

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

​​

  • SEVERE WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS - We will help to get you thinking about severe weather and other hazardous incidents occurring outside the church that might threaten the safety of members inside the church, help you and your church plan for severe weather and other hazardous incidents, show you how to educate church staff and members on severe weather and hazardous incidents, and we will also consider how you might plan for having to shelter people for an extended period of time.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as Fire Drill Accountability Procedure, Evacuation Plan, Radio Procedures,severe weather drill, and various Incident Reports.

  • Time - This Program lasts approximately 2 - 2.5 hours.

COMPLETE PROGRAM Package

Choose the complete program and save!

The

Complete Church Security Training System

Because every House is unique, each program is tailored to meet your House's specific needs.
The Program Includes:

  • SAFETY / SECURITY TEAM VOLUNTEER ACADEMY- We will show you the best way to set up your Safety team, how to choose who is in it, policies and procedures, fundamentals of patrolling,  communicating, and responding to various challenges.

  • ACTIVE SHOOTER- We will teach you how to respond to an active shooter, depending on their location and behaviors, how to evacuate, and conduct drills and safety audits.

  • DISRUPTIVE PERSONS/VERBAL DE-ESCALATION - We will introduce the concept of verbal de-escalation and help you understand its importance in handling day-to-day security issues, teach the basic skills you need to stay calm and defuse potentially difficult security situations, and give you the opportunity to observe and practice verbal de-escalation skills.

  • PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE - We will teach you basic child protection procedures, increase your awareness of the signs of abuse, how to identify areas of vulnerability, create effective procedures, and legally conduct background checks.

  • PROTECTING YOURSELF AND THE CHURCH IN USE-OF-FORCE LAWS IN NEW JERSEY -  We will introduce you to some of the legal considerations affecting safety/security teams in Houses of Worship, help you understand the legal responsibilities and limits of Safety Team members, and provide information that will help protect you and the church from criminal and civil liability.

  • FIRE PREVENTION - We will go over how a fire works, how to conduct fire inspections, how to prepare a Fire Response Plan, how to evacuate if there is a fire, and when and how to do fire drills.

  • SEVERE WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS - We will help to get you thinking about severe weather and other hazardous incidents occurring outside the church that might threaten the safety of members inside the church, help you and your church plan for severe weather and other hazardous incidents, show you how to educate church staff and members on severe weather and hazardous incidents, and we will also consider how you might plan for having to shelter people for an extended period of time.

  • Forms - We will provide you with templates for a number of forms to use, such as various Risk Assessments, Duty Descriptions, Accountability Procedures, Background Check Authorizations, Budget Requests, Class Rosters, Team Applications, Patrol Logs, Incident Reports, and more.

  • Time - This Program takes approximately 12 hours in total.

Link for the Sheepdog Church Security Safety Member Certification Test:

Safety Member Certification Test.  

https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/courses/safety-member-certification-test 

Have you already taken the course
and need your certification?

Looking for the online
Sheepdog Church Security training?

If you are interested in one of our programs or have any questions, please fill out the form below.

Thanks! We'll contact you soon!

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