Church Security: A Comprehensive Risk Assessment

Conducting a thorough risk assessment of church security involves several critical steps to identify and mitigate potential risks. This guide, provided by Locknow Safety, outlines the essential stages of the process and offers insights into best practices for maintaining a safe and secure church environment.

The purpose of this guidance, procedural, and planning document is to equip you with the resources to effectively assess campus safety in relation to various emergencies and threats. While not all aspects of church security covered in this document may apply to your specific campus, the information can be adapted based on your unique needs and available resources. The goal is to provide tools that help you evaluate and enhance the safety of your people and buildings.

Step 1: The First Step in Church Security, Form a Safety Team.

Establish a safety team comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds, including law enforcement if possible. You can find additional guidance in this process at the following link: Locknow Church Safety Teams. This team will be the central point for assessing campus safety, gathering input, and making decisions. Periodically refresh the team to bring in new perspectives and insights.

Step 2:  Assess Facility Safety: 

To start, define the scope and objectives of the assessment. Identify the specific aspects of church security to be evaluated, and set clear boundaries for the process. This step ensures the assessment targets the most critical areas and goals.

Each team member should conduct their own individual church security assessment, as outlined below. This approach will yield diverse assessment results and generate a variety of important discussion points.

Each team member should perform the assessment using the same criteria or guidelines for evaluating the interior and exterior of the building, as well as other relevant procedures.

The questions and considerations provided below can be used to evaluate your church’s security and safety. Feel free to add any additional factors you believe are important.

Locknow Church Security/Safety Assessment Document 

Each safety team member should evaluate your entire campus/facility using the following criteria and topics. Omit any criteria that do not apply to your facility.

Physical security assessment, and safety considerations

Exterior of Building: 

• Are the boundaries clear and maintaining visibility? Are the property lines clearly distinguishable with fences or landscape features?

• Are parking lots and sidewalks visible from multiple directions and covered by cameras?

• Is there sufficient lighting in all necessary outdoor areas?

• Do we have security officers available to provide security services?

• Does church security monitor who enters the parking lot and the building, and do they check what individuals are carrying with them?

• Are each of the entrances well-lit and clearly marked with our address?

• Are parking lots and buildings marked with clear signage? 

• Do we have visitor parking identified with signs? 

• Is there a designated location for deliveries of mail? 

• Are emergency doors equipped with hardware or alarms to signal that the door is open? 

• Windows: Can someone gain access through a window? Do the windows have locks? Our alarm systems integrated with windows? 

Interior of Building:  

• Is each entrance attended by someone acting as a greeter during worship times? 

• Do greeters have multiple methods of communication? 

• Are entrances locked when not in use? 

• Does anyone view security cameras during services? 

• Are church security personnel or volunteers dispersed throughout the building during services?  Are they trained in observation skills? 

• When a room is vacated is the door immediately locked? 

• Do we have locking procedures for every building or area? 

• Do we have shatterproof windows at entries, offices, and classrooms? 

• Have we evaluated every area of your facility for an emergency exit route? 

• Do we have emergency alarms accessible to your volunteers? 

• Have we evaluated each area in the event of an active shooter? Where can individuals take shelter? 

• Are all exits clearly marked with the appropriate signage? Is there battery back up? Are hallways and stairwells lighted in the event of a power outage?  

• Do we have fire extinguishers located in every building and in areas with fire hazards?

Security Cameras:  

• Do we have church security cameras in the parking lots? 

• Do we have church security cameras at entrances and walkways? 

• Is there someone assigned to view security cameras during services? 

• Create a floor plan with all cameras included. What areas need more surveillance? 

Alarm System: 

• If the buildings have a church security alarm system, has the administrative office determined who needs access? 

• Is the alarm system integrated with all entries and windows? 

• Does the alarm system integrate with tracking who enters and leaves the building? 

• Does the alarm system detect breakage on windows and doors? 

• Does the alarm system detect if a door or window is not closed? 

• What areas of the buildings is the alarm system integrated into? 

• Is the alarm system connected with the cameras and recording devices? 

• Does the alarm system include panic buttons? 

Church Security Administrative Considerations: 

• Are there previous incidents involving church security or safety that we can evaluate for improvement or policy change? 

• Assess the church’s exposure to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and severe storms based on its geographic location. Develop measures to mitigate these risks. 

• If an active shooter enters the sanctuary, do you have a plan for communication and response? 

• Does our people have the ability to alert everyone of a threat with a few taps of the phone, such as the Locknow Safety App? 

• If an armed intruder approaches the administrative offices, do you have a plan for communication and response? 

• If your facility allows individuals to carry weapons, do you ensure they are adequately trained in the usage of the weapons? 

• Are volunteers, staff, security personnel, trained and identifying and responding to mentally disturbed individuals, intoxicated individuals, a person with suspicious belongings, a known pedophile, who arrives for services, an unknown pedophile who arrives for services, a person who does not seem to “belong” in your setting, an angry person, an estranged spouse, medical emergencies and weather emergencies?  

• If additional personnel are needed for a situation, how is that communicated? 

• Do we have a procedure or plan in place so that staff and volunteers know how to shelter in place or lock down the building? 

• Do our people know what to do if they think that they hear gunfire? 

• Do we have a key inventory or electronic readers with specific codes for everyone who needs access to the building? 

• Are all areas of the building secure to prevent unauthorized entry? 

• Are valuable items, such as musical instruments, sound equipment, purses, etc. locked or secured? 

• Are all offices located in areas that:  have limited access, cameras, emergency exits, alarms, communication methods, valuables secured, and windows? 

• At any given time, how do you know how many people are in the building and who they are? 

• Do we have a safe for important documents and money? 

• Do we have a procedure for transporting money to the bank? 

• Do we have a procedure for counting money? 

• Do we ensure that all workers and volunteers pass a background check with fingerprints and ensure the references are verified? 

• Do our procedures ensure that the drop-off and pick up of children are done appropriately? 

• Do we have essential information on each child to identify them as well as allergies, medication, emergency, contacts, and drop off and pick up authorizations? 

• Do we ensure adequate adult supervision when we plan events with overnight stays? 

• Are workers and volunteers trained in state and local law regarding child abuse and neglect? 

• Are workers and volunteers trained to take any claim of abuse seriously and to report it to the Director of security? 

• Do we have an environment in our facility where children feel comfortable coming forward with any reports of an appropriate behavior? 

• Do we have someone designated to be in charge in the event of an emergency? 

• Do we have emergency plans for natural emergencies, medical, emergencies, and man-made emergencies? 

• Do we have an evacuation plan for each building? How often is it practiced? It is recommended once or twice a year at least. 

• Do we have an area designated for medical emergencies? Is this area lit well? 

• Do we have gloves and masks readily available? 

• Do we have a first aid kit? Defibrillator? Narcan? 

• Do we have a doctor or nurse during services and events? 

• Are volunteers, staff and security personnel trained in CPR and other life-saving actions? 

• Is anyone designated to help individuals with disabilities in the event of an emergency? 

• Is there a designated area for a storm shelter? 

• Do we have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, radios, water, first aid kits, supplies and blankets? 

• Do we have someone designated who can speak to the media on behalf of the congregation in an emergency? 

• Is church leadership engaged in our security plan? They must be. 

• Do we have a network of security professionals to help implement security recommendations? 

• Do we train our network on observation, use of force, proper response, and how to de-escalate a situation? 

• Do we provide new training every year? 

• Do we allow individuals to carry firearms? Do we insist that they participate in our security team for training? 

• Do we have a key or access control policy for our buildings? 

• Do we have opening and closing procedures for each building with a designated person? 

• Do we have a detailed property inventory list with serial numbers? This should be updated regularly. Using video is convenient to record all possessions of value. Store this video offsite. 

• Do we maintain personnel files on all workers and volunteers? 

• Do we conduct a thorough background check on every employee and volunteer?  This includes talking to previous clergy, leaders, neighbors, and references. 

• Do new volunteers/employees who transport attendees have cleared driving records? These individuals should be listed on the insurance policy for coverage. 

• How do we contact parents/members/community should a tragedy occur? What methods of communication do we use and who is assigned this task? 

• Have we solicited advice and input from local law-enforcement? 

• Do we understand that our security and safety plans will be documents that need constant review and updates? 

• Are there experts that we can include in the process of assessment and consultation? 

Church Security: Finance and Membership Considerations: 

• Do we back up membership, data, and financial giving records on a regular basis? 

• Do we have a computer system that tracks membership data that is secured with adequate firewalls? 

• Is the mainframe climate controlled with surge, protection, and backup power? 

• Do employees or volunteers sign a nondisclosure agreement prior to working with membership and/or financial information? 

• Do we have financial policies that direct how donations are handled and how expenses are approved and paid? 

• Do we have financial procedures on how donated money is processed?  How was the money secured? Who has access to the area where money is secured? Is the money counted in a room with cameras? Who counts the money and prepares deposits? Who handles the mail each day to process donations? Who processes credit card donations? Are donations made over the phone and how is it secured? Who has access to donations and track this information for end of year tax donation receipts? 

• Who insures the actual deposit matches what was prepared? 

• Who approves financial expenditures and payments? 

• Who balances the checking account every month while monitoring credit card purchases? 

• How and when are deposits transported to the bank? 

• Do financial policies require a review or audit each year by an outside firm? 

• Do we review credit reports on employees or volunteers before they can handle money? 

• Do we have checks and balances in place for expenditures? 

• Our invoices reviewed by multiple people randomly to ensure they are legitimate? 

• Does the treasurer’s position rotate frequently to allow more supervision of accounts? 

• Does our administration board review financial reports monthly? 

• Do we require dual signatures for purchases over a certain amount? 

• Do we have a “no cash” policy on the premises? 

Step 3: Establish a Comprehensive List of Needed Church Security and Safety Improvements 

Once the team has completed their church security assessments, they should discuss/compare the results of their assessments.  At this time, the team’s goals should be to: 

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in current security measures. Establish a comprehensive list of necessary church security/safety improvements and mitigation strategies. 

• Prioritize the list of church security and safety improvements. 

• Develop a unified strategy for enhancing overall church security.

• Assign responsibilities for implementing recommended changes.

• Establish a timeline for reviewing and updating security protocols regularly. Church security is an ongoing effort!

Conclusion 

After compiling your comprehensive list of necessary church security and safety improvements for your facility, the safety team should meet regularly to discuss progress. It’s crucial to actively promote your achievements where appropriate. It’s important for your congregation to understand that safety is a priority and that ongoing efforts are being made to enhance it.

Conducting a comprehensive church risk assessment is essential for fostering a safe environment for worship and community activities. By employing a systematic approach and addressing various risks and vulnerabilities, churches can devise effective strategies to mitigate threats and uphold a secure atmosphere. Regular reviews and updates are crucial to keeping the risk assessment current and adaptable to evolving challenges.