Tag: armed security guard training

Firearms Training, Services

🛡️ Why Every Church Should Have a Security Plan (and How to Build One)

Mark Schneider

Churches are designed to be places of peace, refuge, and spiritual growth. But in an increasingly unpredictable world, churches must also plan for real-world dangers — from active threats to medical emergencies. A church without a security plan is leaving its congregation vulnerable to chaos when seconds matter most.

This guide will walk you through the essential components of a complete, legally sound, and tactically functional church security strategy. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating your existing policies, this blueprint was designed specifically for Colorado churches — and draws from real-world training and experience.

⚠️ The Modern Threat Landscape

The rise in violence targeting faith-based institutions is a sobering reality. High-profile church shootings, property crimes, and volatile confrontations have placed religious communities at increased risk. The Department of Homeland Security has even classified houses of worship as soft targets and has issued grants to encourage enhanced physical and procedural security.

Examples of threats churches face:

  • Active shooters or armed intruders
  • Disruptive or mentally unstable subjects
  • Domestic disputes spilling into church grounds
  • Medical incidents involving members or staff
  • Vandalism, burglary, or theft during services or events

Waiting until something happens is not an option. Preparation is a moral and legal responsibility.

🔟 The 10 Critical Components of a Church Security Plan

✅ 1. Trained, Layered Security Team

A professional security posture includes:

  • Uniformed, armed guards: Serve as a visible deterrent and immediate response force.
  • Plainclothes armed responders: Blend in with the congregation. Each should carry a deployable high-visibility strap that reads “SECURITY” for immediate identification if force is used.
  • Unarmed “Observe & Report” volunteers: Equipped with radios or cell phones, these members help monitor behavior, guide people during evacuations, and act as extra eyes and ears.

All personnel should be trained in use-of-force law, verbal de-escalation, CPR, and team coordination.

✅ 1A. Empower the Congregation: “See Something, Say Something”

Security isn’t just the job of a few — it’s a shared responsibility. Churches should foster a culture where members feel empowered to speak up. Clear communication channels should be in place for reporting suspicious behavior, unattended bags, or escalating conversations.

Suggested actions:

  • Announce safety reminders from the pulpit or bulletin
  • Post signage near entryways
  • Designate individuals that members can approach discreetly

✅ 2. Professional Communication Systems

Your team must be able to communicate discreetly and reliably.

Tools include:

  • Two-way radios (e.g., Cobra PX650 or Motorola business radios)
  • Cell-based radios using Zello or similar apps
  • Team group texts for quick updates, photos, or check-ins
  • Code-based communication to discreetly discuss threats without alarming bystanders

During services, always maintain active radio checks and comms discipline. The faster your team can coordinate, the safer your congregation will be.

✅ 3. Surveillance & Access Control

Controlling physical access is one of the most effective ways to reduce threats. You must:

  • Lock all secondary entrances during services
  • Use door greeters to monitor the main point of entry
  • Install surveillance cameras at every entry, exit, hallway, and classroom

During all services and events, assign a designated team member to monitor your CCTV system in real-time. That individual should be in direct communication with the response team to relay developing issues immediately.

✅ 4. Active Threat & Lockdown Protocol

An active killer scenario is chaotic. You need a plan — and everyone must know their role.

Your plan should include:

  • Run, Hide, Fight or similar tactics
  • Assigned roles: who calls 911, who initiates lockdown, who evacuates kids
  • Clear signals to initiate lockdowns
  • Rehearsed use of color-coded and numeric codes (e.g., “Code Red, Code 1”)

Every second counts. Practicing now can save lives later.

✅ 5. Emergency Medical Response

Have trauma kits, AEDs, and designated medical team members ready at all times. At a minimum, your team should know how to:

  • Stop bleeding
  • Use an AED
  • Perform CPR
  • Safely manage large crowds during a medical emergency

Train security and greeters in Stop the Bleed procedures and assign responders during every gathering.

If your team includes armed individuals or physical engagement roles, your church is liable if something goes wrong.

Protect yourself by:

  • Ensuring all armed team members have valid CHPs
  • Having written use-of-force policies
  • Carrying insurance that covers firearms and private security activity
  • Consulting with an attorney on your SOPs (standard operating procedures)

✅ 7. Drills with Law Enforcement & Congregation

You need to train like you fight.

Hold quarterly or biannual drills that include:

  • Full security team response
  • Church leadership and volunteers (e.g., children’s ministry)
  • Local police or sheriff’s deputies
  • Scenarios: evacuations, lockdowns, medical incidents, child abduction

These drills build muscle memory and relationships with first responders that could one day save lives.

✅ 8. Child and Youth Protection Protocols

Protecting the vulnerable is non-negotiable. Ensure:

  • Locked doors on all children’s areas
  • Designated pickup and drop-off points
  • At least two cleared adults in every room
  • Security presence near children’s hallways at all times

Install video monitoring if possible and perform background checks on every volunteer.

✅ 9. Incident Reporting and Documentation

Everything needs to be documented. Every confrontation, medical call, or suspicious encounter should be:

  • Written in detail using the “Who, What, Where, Why, How” format
  • Proofread for grammar and objectivity
  • Stored in a secure place
  • Backed by saved video or photos with a clear chain of custody

Remind your team: These reports may one day be read in court.

✅ 10. Radio Codes: Color + Numeric

Use the Color + Number system to discreetly communicate the nature and urgency of incidents.

Color Codes:

  • Code Red: Active shooter / armed subject
  • Code Orange: Disruptive subject
  • Code Yellow: Suspicious behavior
  • Code Blue: Medical emergency
  • Code Gray: Missing child or vulnerable person
  • Code Black: Bomb threat or suspicious package
  • Code Green: All clear

Numeric Response Levels:

  • Code 1: Active killer or immediate deadly threat
  • Code 2: Physical fight / hands-on engagement
  • Code 3: Backup needed urgently
  • Code 4: Situation resolved, all clear

Practice this language regularly. It will keep your team calm, fast, and focused under pressure.

📣 Ready to Take Action?

🔍 Schedule a Free On-Site Church Security Assessment

We’ll walk your church building, inside and out, and identify weaknesses in your current security setup. You’ll receive a written report with actionable recommendations tailored to your layout, service size, and current volunteer capacity.
👉 Schedule Your Assessment Now

🎯 Book Custom Security Training for Your Church

Whether your church has a team in place or is just getting started, CCCD can help you build, train, and legally equip your security team. We teach:

  • Situational awareness
  • Defensive tactics
  • Colorado firearms law
  • Trauma response
  • Verbal de-escalation and communication
    👉 Book Team Training

📋 Download Our Free Church Security Checklist (PDF)

A two-page summary of this article’s content, formatted for print or mobile viewing. Ideal for staff meetings, security team briefings, and planning sessions.
👉 Download the Free Checklist (Free!)

CCCD_20_Point_Church_Security_ChecklistDownload

🛡️ Protect Your Team with Self-Defense Insurance

Equipping your church security team with training and gear is essential — but it’s not enough. If an armed responder must draw their firearm, even in a clear-cut case of self-defense, they may face criminal charges, civil lawsuits, or both.

That’s where self-defense insurance comes in.

These policies help cover:

  • Criminal defense attorneys
  • Civil lawsuit damages
  • Bail bond costs
  • Expert witnesses
  • Firearm replacement
  • 24/7 emergency legal hotline

Whether your church relies on armed volunteers or off-duty officers, it’s critical that each armed member carries their own policy. Many of these plans are affordable, often less than a dollar a day — and could make the difference between jail time and freedom.

🔍 We Recommend Comparing Plans Before You Commit

Each plan varies in price, coverage, and legal team quality. We’ve put together a side-by-side comparison chart to help your team make an informed choice.

👉 Compare Self-Defense Insurance Plans Here

📞 Speak with Mark Schneider, CCCD Lead Instructor

Have questions about legal liability, team structure, or a recent incident at your church? Mark Schneider brings years of real-world experience in CCW, armed security, and church protection planning.
📲 Call: 720-924-6654
📧 Email: cccdinstructor@gmail.com

📍 We Serve the Entire Denver Metro Area

Proudly serving Denver, Aurora, Castle Rock, Lakewood, Thornton, Littleton, Parker, Brighton, Englewood, Westminster, Broomfield, Arvada, Northglenn, Loveland, and surrounding areas.

Legal & Law

Lessons from the Logan Gimbell Shooting Incident

Mark Schneider

Analyzing the Logan Gimbell Shooting of Freddy Nelson: What Went Wrong?

On May 29, 2021, in a Lowe’s parking lot in North Portland, Logan Gimbell, an armed security guard, fatally shot Freddy Nelson during a confrontation. The incident, captured on body cam and CCTV, exposed a series of significant failures in judgment, tactics, and adherence to professional training. Gimbell’s actions led to his conviction for second-degree murder. This analysis reviews the key moments of the event, identifies what went wrong, and provides lessons learned for security professionals.

For the full body cam footage, view the video here. For the news article on the incident, click here.

0:00 – Initial Approach

Gimbell arrives in his patrol car and steps out to confront Nelson. His opening words, “Get the f*** off my property, you know you have been trespassed and you know you can’t be here,” are immediately aggressive.

  • Analysis: This violates basic de-escalation principles. A professional approach involves respectful communication, introducing oneself, and clearly explaining the situation to establish control without conflict.

0:33 – Window Rolled Up

Nelson rolls up his window as Gimbell continues his aggressive tone. This defensive gesture suggests that Nelson perceives Gimbell as a threat.

  • Analysis: Nelson’s reaction indicates a fight-or-flight response, one of the five common psychological reactions to perceived danger. A calm, empathetic approach could have mitigated this.

0:37 – Pepper Spray Deployed

Gimbell sprays OC into the cracked rear window of Nelson’s vehicle. Nelson’s passenger reacts by shouting, “Ah, you f*ing ahole.”

  • Analysis: Deploying pepper spray in this manner escalates the situation unnecessarily. It is typically used to force individuals out of a vehicle, not to encourage departure.

0:54 – Vehicle Starts

Nelson starts his vehicle, indicating an attempt to leave. Gimbell, instead of moving to safety, positions himself in front of the car.

  • Analysis: Blocking the vehicle contradicts Gimbell’s demand for Nelson to leave. At this point, Gimbell should have stepped aside to allow the vehicle to exit safely.

1:10 – Shots Fired

As the vehicle begins to move, Gimbell fires approximately four shots into the windshield, striking and killing Nelson. Dashcam footage shows Gimbell standing 6–8 feet away from the vehicle.

  • Analysis: The use of lethal force was unjustified. There was no imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death. Gimbell had options to avoid the perceived danger by stepping to the side.

1:20 – Aftermath

Chaos ensues as Nelson’s passenger screams in panic. Gimbell approaches a Lowe’s employee, asking for advice on whether he should render aid. He continues recording himself on body cam, attempting to justify his actions.

  • Analysis: Gimbell’s behavior highlights inadequate training in first aid and poor understanding of how to handle post-incident procedures. He should have sought legal counsel immediately and refrained from making statements on body cam.
Nelson in his pickup on the left & Gimbell on the right.

What Gimbell Did Wrong

  • Failed to De-escalate: His aggressive initial approach heightened tension.
  • Inconsistent Communication: Conflicting demands caused confusion about what he wanted Nelson to do.
  • Improper Use of Pepper Spray: OC spray deployment was tactically unnecessary and escalated the conflict.
  • Positioning Errors: Standing in front of a moving vehicle placed himself in avoidable danger.
  • Excessive Use of Force: Shooting into the vehicle was disproportionate to the threat.
  • Lack of Licensing: Operating as an armed guard without proper licensing compounded his legal liability.
  • Failure to Render Aid: Gimbell hesitated and demonstrated inadequate medical training.
  • Inappropriate Post-Incident Behavior: Making statements on body cam reflected poor legal awareness.

Lessons Learned

  • Prioritize De-escalation: Effective communication can prevent conflicts from escalating.
  • Maintain Tactical Clarity: Clear, consistent directives are essential to manage a situation effectively.
  • Follow Legal Requirements: Proper licensing and compliance with regulations are critical for armed security personnel.
  • Understand Use of Force Principles: Use of force must be proportional and justified by an imminent threat.
  • Avoid Unsafe Positioning: Guards must never place themselves unnecessarily in harm’s way.
  • Be Prepared to Render Aid: First-aid training and readiness are critical after an incident.
  • Exercise Post-Incident Discipline: Refrain from making statements and consult legal counsel immediately.

Conclusion

The Logan Gimbell case is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of poor training, poor decision-making, and failure to adhere to professional standards. Security guards and law enforcement professionals must take these lessons to heart to ensure that similar tragedies are avoided.

By investing in comprehensive training, adhering to legal standards, and practicing de-escalation, armed professionals can better serve the public and protect themselves from unnecessary legal and moral consequences.

Fair Use Disclosure

The images used in this article are included under the principles of “fair use” as outlined in Title 17 of the United States Code, Section 107. They are utilized for purposes of commentary, analysis, and education regarding the events described in this article. The images are transformative in nature, used in a manner that adds new context or insights to the discussion, and are not intended for commercial exploitation. All rights to the original content remain with their respective owners.