A case involving volunteer security guards at a church in Texas has brought many questions regarding security guard duties and staff training into question. The need for a security presence in religious institutions is understood. However, volunteer security guards from within a religious institutions or unlicensed security guards could result with severe legal consequences. Our take on this case, and our advice to the leaders and staff of religious and private institutions who would like to do their best to benefit their buildings’ security is what we want to tackle today.

Although many religious institutions intentions are positive, inserting an untrained guard(s) who may not be fully versed in state law/requirements could cause more harm than good. On the surface, it may seem counterproductive to prohibit certain volunteer forces from protecting private or religious institutions, however, there is a clear line of reasoning that explains why. 

Professionally trained guards are drilled on various security protocols from building sweeps to fire emergency, to armed enforcement. These duties are highly risky and even a slight mistake could lead to unwanted harm. Mistakes are prevented by high levels of training and insured against by many levels of legal and physical protection. A volunteer force lacking training may unravel a potential mistake into a large-scale problem, be it unknowingly.

While we always recommend professional, experienced, and trained guards when it comes to protection, we also encourage staff training in basic response and reaction concepts. In the case of an emergency, it is very important for the staff of a building to know how best to conduct themselves to benefit their safety and the safety of their guests. While staff should avoid dealing with security tasks themselves, they should be aware of potential safety risks and basic protocols.

If it is determined that your institution would like to establish volunteer as a guard, they must go follow the required guidelines for the state you reside and pass a written exam, fingerprint and background check, in addition to obtaining insurance and legal requirements of their respective state. This could be more of a hassle than need be, so… leaving it to the professionals is advised. As a professional private security company, JS Security Consulting, LLC., is more than happy to help the staff of religious and private institutions learn the fundamentals of what they could do (within the scope of the law) to help in an emergency situation. Our armed and unarmed guards definitely appreciate it when the staff of the buildings they work in know how and when to report potential threats, and understand how to keep the facilities they work in optimal for security and protection