cripture
- Chronicles 9:21 21 And later Zechariah son
of Meshelemiah had been responsible for guarding the
entrance of the tabernacle. 22 In all, there were
212 Gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed
by genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel
the seer had appointed their ancestors because they
were reliable men. 23 These gatekeepers and their
descendants, by their divisions, were responsible
for guarding the entrance to the house of the LORD,
the house that was formerly a tent. 24 The
gatekeepers were stationed on all four sides-east,
west, north, and south.
The need:
Churches are
concerned about the security of their congregations, pastors and
staff. Most churches are also concerned with the appearance of
looking like there are security issues that need to be addressed by
uniformed police being at church services. They are also looking for
a solution to the high cost of security personnel.
The statistics
speak for themselves. According to the nation's leading church crime
statistician Carl Chinn of M7; from 1/1/1999 through 9/15/2010 there
were 167 deadly force incidents resulting in the death of others in
churches. Of those incidents only 5 were stopped in process by law
enforcement, 7 were stopped in process by others and the remaining
155 were stopped when the attacker was finished.
Law enforcement
tell us that until they get there; "We are on our own to stop the
incident." Most of the time the police are there to take the report.
What if there
were a way to have an "Intervention Capable" person there at the
church who is armed, trained and legally licensed at a fraction of
the cost. Add on top that they are a long time trusted church member
who has a vested interest in protecting the church, the congregation
and staff.
Regulatory issues: Texas Law
In Texas the
Private Security industry is regulated by the Texas Department of
Public Safety - Private Security Bureau.
Texas law
prohibits the carrying of a handgun in church as a part of a
security team. The Concealed Handgun permit/license (CHL) does not
allow the licensee to be a part of a team task with preserving the
peace.
A volunteer security patrol made up of church
members would generally require licensing under the provisions of
Section 1702.108 or 1702.222, regardless of whether any compensation
is received as a result of the activities. The only exception to
licensing provided by the legislature for nonprofit and civic
organizations is found in Section 1702.327, which applies
specifically to nonprofit and civic organizations that employ peace
officers under certain circumstances and would not be applicable
here.
However, there is one exception to licensing
under Chapter 1702 provided by the legislature that could arguably
apply, which can be found in section 1702.323 ("Security Department
of Private Business"). This exception would allow volunteers to
provide security services exclusively for one church,
as long as they do not carry firearms and as long as they do not
wear "a uniform with any type of badge commonly associated with
security personnel or law enforcement or a patch or apparel with
'security' on the patch or apparel." See TEX. OCC. CODE
?
1702.323(a) & (d)(2). Thus, the wearing of a uniform or any apparel
containing the word "security" would subject them to the licensing
requirements of the act.
The Solution:
State Security Licensing
Texas state
security regulations provide several levels of licensing of security
officers:
Non-Commissioned Security Officer - Level 2
- A level two officer is
an unarmed and uniformed security guard. This is
the usual type of officer seen at malls and
office building. The training is mostly in the
understanding of the private security statues
and rules and the understanding of the
principles of observe and report, detect and
deter.
Commissioned
Security Officer - Level 3
- A level three officer in
an armed (clearly visible/unconcealed) and
uniformed security guard. Additional firearms
and use of force training.
Personal
Protection Officer - Level 4
- (bodyguard) A level four officer is an armed
(concealed carry) and plain clothed officer
assign to protect a person or persons.
Additional training in defensive tactics and
personal protection of a third party.
Gatekeepers
Security Services, LLC (Gatekeepers) is a state licensed security
company that provide security personnel to some of the largest
churches in Texas. As a part of our continued commitment to help
provide security resources to churches, Gatekeepers has cleared a
path for churches to provide their own security with their own
people.
The Path:
Becoming a Gatekeeper
Upon acceptance into the
program Gatekeepers will help the church train
their candidates (either by local state licensed
schools or through our state licensed school -
The Christian Security Institute located in DFW
area).
After training and testing
the candidates are licensed under Gatekeepers
Security Services, LLC (a class B security
services company) as Level 4 - Personal
Protection Officers.
Gatekeepers then enters
into a written contract with the church to
provide those officers (your officers) to the
church for the protection of the pastor, staff
and congregants.
Training Cost and Time:
(per person):
The objective is to gain a level 4 license and
certification. This certification requires level 2,3 and 4 training
and certification.
Level 2 training a self
study coarse - approximately $40
Level 3 training is
approximately $200 and the state required
training is 30 hours.
Level 4 training is
approximately $200 and the state required
training is 15 hours.
Level 4 licensing also
required to take the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory) which is a 2-3 hours
physiological test which cost is approximately
$80 from a licensed state certified doctor.
Total training cost - Approximately - $520
plus a box of ammunition for the qualifying shoot.
In addition to the state required
training each candidate is required to attend company provided
additional free training at the Christian Security Institute in
Frisco, TX. or on-site as required.
Cost to Church :
The church is invoiced on a per hour rate when officers are "on
duty", usually a few hours per week.
Conclusion:
The church has hired a state licensed security
company to provide the security services the church needs. The
church gets its trusted members who has been fully training,
licensed and insured as their Gatekeepers for a minimal cost.
To speak with us about the bringing
Gatekeepers to your church please call or email us.
