Church Security

The Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento (LECS) is keenly aware of recent events across the United States that have severely impacted many houses of worship.

LECS offers several important and vital training opportunities to church leaders and their staff in the Sacramento region. A few of those trainings include, but are not limited to:

Church Leadership Training
Church Security, Safety & Preparation Training
Active Shooter Training
TRAC (Trauma Response & Care)
Church Chaplain Training
Becoming a “First Responder Church”
Suicide Awareness Training

These, and other trainings can be done in your church facilities, or in our LECS Training Room. Additionally, LECS offers pulpit presentations to churches on a myriad of topics. Please contact us if you are interested in any of these trainings or a pulpit presentation by calling (916)978-0296 or by emailing [email protected].

Prevention & Response

According to fbi.gov – seven minutes, 24 seconds is how long it took a gunman who opened fire at a Baptist church in rural Sutherland Springs, Texas, to kill 26 people. Many in the church on November 5, 2017 took cover under the pews. Tragically, that made them an easier target for the gunman. The gunman later died by suicide after an armed passerby confronted him.

From Sutherland Springs to Pittsburgh to Poway, it’s becoming sadly common—worshippers gunned down during their religious services. Law enforcement and religious leaders alike want to do all they can to stop these threats by training their communities on how to protect religious institutions. It is a conversation everyone wishes wasn’t necessary.

“Everyone who attends a service deserves the right to do so in peace,” said Assistant Director Kerry Sleeper of the FBI’s Office of Partner Engagement. “That’s certainly our common goal as we move forward.”

FBI officials often brief churches on topics like hate crime and terrorism threats and warning signs for shooters. Often these events may seem random, however, many shooters do show warning signs before they act. In the case of the Sutherland Springs shooter, the gunman had a troubled history; he had been court martialed in the military and had a history of domestic violence.

Officials encourage religious leaders to remind their communities of the warning signs so they can be handled appropriately at the local level. Depending on the threat, sometimes a simple mental health treatment referral is all that’s required.

Newer church buildings are being designed with much higher security levels in mind, including multiple exits and security cameras.

LECS can help teach your members what to do in the event of an attack. Without preparation, human nature is to freeze. Simple steps like knowing where the exits are can save lives. Email [email protected] for more information.

Sacramento InfraGard

LECS also works in conjunction with Sacramento InfraGard Chapter’s Security and Safety Workshop addressing Violence in Faith-Based Congregations. The agenda often includes a review by the FBI of indicators of attacks, presentations by law enforcement, and infrastructure protection assessors on how to prevent and deter acts of violence in houses of worship, and access to vulnerability assessments, grants and other resources.

First Responder Churches

Following a crime, death of a loved one, or traumatic event, the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento (LECS) provides follow-up care to these victims or traumatized persons for several days possibly up to one week.

However, some of these people require longer follow-up attention. The Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Sacramento (LECS) partnered with several area churches that go above and beyond in assisting those with additional follow-up needs. These churches offer practical assistance, not pastoral care (unless requested).

These church members may assist with short term light housekeeping, bringing in a meal, or offering a listening ear. These are just a few examples of practical assistance that might be offered to ease the load on the impacted person or their family. The goal for the First Responder Church is not to get the traumatized person to join their church, but simply to help them progress through their grief journey. If your church has a desire to become a First Responder Church – please send an email to [email protected] or call our office Monday through Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at (916)978-0296.