SAFETY AND SECURITY
TEAM STRUCTURE
Because of the authority granted to the safety and security team and the trust required for the performance of its duties, it is important for ministry participants to understand the composition of the team, the selection process involved, the training required, and the standards imposed on all team members.
TEAM COMPSOTION
The safety and security team consists of three levels of members. The Security Director (SD) will lead the team and will make strategic security decisions in consultation with the ministry leadership committee, along with tactical decisions in emergency situations. Safety and security team leaders are appointed by the SD to fulfill delegated leadership functions within the team. Finally, safety and security team members provide the skilled labor required to accomplish the goals of the safety and security program.
SECURITY DIRECTOR (SD)
The SD is ultimately responsible for administering the safety and security program. Development of all operating procedures, as well as the implementation of all security policies, are to be supervised and administered by the SD in consultation with the ministry leadership committee with final approval from an elder.
The SD is appointed by the Elders. The SD shall regularly report to the Elders. Written reports shall satisfy this reporting requirement unless an in-person presentation is requested by the leadership.
FIREARMS DIRECTOR (FD)
The Firearms Director(s) FD is appointed by the SD. The FD oversees the qualifications, armed team. Approves the firearms and equipment and the mode of carry of each team member and has the authority to do random checks.
TEAM LEADER
A security team leader is responsible for a particular safety or security function of the safety and security team and is appointed by the SD. The team leader is the point person for weekend services and all events.
Each team leader reports to the SD. Team members report to the team leader. In the event of an unfolding safety or security incident, any team leader may give orders to any other team member if the order is necessary to accomplish the task delegated to the team leader. Team Leaders along with the police and SD are leads in radio communication during incidents. The SD and Team Leader scans all channels while the rest of the team remains on channel 4.
SAFETY AND SECURITY TEAM MEMBER
Team members are individuals who have been screened, trained, and assigned duties within the safety and security team. Safety and security team members may have general duties as assigned by the SD or the appropriate team leader. Safety and security team members may also have specialized responsibilities assigned to them by the SD. Examples of specialization include armed team members, liaisons, and medical responders.
While critical to the safety and security of the church, greeters, ushers, traffic attendants, ministry leaders, and staff members will only be considered safety and security team members if they have been screened, trained, and assigned duties with the team. Safety and Security team members cannot do two volunteer roles at the same time.
Every member of the safety and security team, prior to being included on the team, must be screened by the SD or appropriate team leader. The Associate Campus Pastor and Campus Pastor, of the respective campus, shall sign off on the application prior to submission to the SD. Screening includes the submission of a complete application, performance of at least two reference checks, and performance of a criminal background check, as determined by the elders. Refusal to cooperate in the screening process will exclude the candidate from consideration as a team member. Any information discovered during the screening process that poses a character issue or possible threat to the health and safety of others will exclude the candidate from consideration as a team member. Applicants must attend CedarCreek for at least 1 year before being considered for the team. They also must be a member of the church.
APPLICATION
Prior to consideration, all candidates seeking a volunteer position on the team will complete and return an initial safety and security team member application. The SD will carefully review the application for the purpose of confirming that the candidate is an appropriate match for the ministry position. The SD, or appropriate team leader, will be responsible to store all application materials—the application form, background check, reference checks, notes from the in-person interview, etc.
REFERENCE CHECKS
If an applicant appears to be an appropriate candidate for the team, the SD, or appropriate team leader, will check at least two references to confirm the information that the candidate provided on the ministry application.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Every applicant that appears to be an appropriate candidate for the safety and security team must authorize the church to conduct a criminal background check. Criminal background checks will be performed on every candidate prior to their inclusion on the team. In the case of an armed team member, additional background checks related to firearms and an aptitude assessment may also be conducted. Background checks will be conducted on all team members annually. Specific disqualifiers are included later in this manual.
INFORMATION UPDATES
Every team member will submit an information update to the SD annually. The information update will briefly update basic contact and fitness information and ask for disclosure of any status or event occurring since the last application or update that might affect the team member’s status. The information update form is included in this manual.
Because of the duties delegated to the safety and security team require a level of special knowledge and skill, training of security team members is extremely important. All training will be approved, monitored and/or supervised by the SD.
SECURITY TRAINING
Initially, each team member will complete the orientation session, including standard operating procedures, “how to deal with disruptive persons”, and “use of force” training. Every year after each member will complete general safety and security training each year some of which will be mandatory. Qualified training events will be provided to team members of the SD. Team members are to report their attendance at a qualified training event to the SD on a training completion form provided by the SD within seven (7) days of completing the training. The SD is the final authority as to what training events satisfy this policy provision, including but not limited to yearly refreshers on the use of force, scenarios, etc.
MEDICAL TRAINING
Each team member will be offered to complete a basic first aid and CPR course. Team members are to report their attendance at an authorized training course to the SD on a training completion form provided by the SD within seven (7) days of completing the training. Any certificate of completion or other evidence of satisfactory completion will be submitted to the safety and security director.
Any team member designated especially as a medical responder will annually complete a valid CPR course authorized by the SD. Medical responders will also maintain current certification for use of an AED. The SD may also require completion of an advanced first aid course by medical responders. Medical responders are to report their attendance at any required training course to the SD on a training completion form provided by the SD within seven (7) days of completing the training. Any certificate of completion or other evidence of satisfactory completion will be turned in to the SD.
FIREARMS TRAINING (for Armed Team Members)
To be considered for the armed team, members must be a current security team member in good standing for at least 6 months. All team members authorized by the SD to carry firearms must maintain current credentials authorizing them to carry a concealed weapon.
In addition, all armed team members will complete marksmanship and firearms safety training annually. The marksmanship and safety course must be approved by the SD in order to satisfy this requirement.
Armed team members are to report their attendance of the training course to the SD on a training completion form within seven days of completing the training. Passing both the course and the qualification is necessary for approval. Approval will be given in written form from the SD and expire no later than May 31st of every year.
All Armed team members must have current credentials and complete the Advanced Defensive Handgun 8-hour course through GUN Teachers and pass the Ohio Police Officers Training Academy firearms qualification, administered by the FD. The Armed Team Member shall carry only their qualified handgun(s) in the same method used for qualification. The annual qualification is held in May of every year.
Team members that are current or past police officers will with proper credentials be considered by the committee. They must have proper documentation of their certifications for their firearms qualification. All other Armed team members will need to qualify the OPOTA firearms course annually in the month of May and record one (1) hour of live fire, consisting of a minimum of 100 rounds from a currently qualified handgun, bi-monthly. Log sheets of practice sessions shall be submitted every 6 months to the SD. Also, the OPOTA score, make and model, and the serial number of the firearm will be recorded by the FD for the record. Armed team members must execute a minimum of 100 practice draws, using their approved cover garment(s) every month. In addition, all Armed team members must, as a condition of retaining their membership, attend an Armed team training session in the month of November where a practice qualification and other trainings will be held. Failure to meet these requirements is cause for automatic dismissal from the Armed team.
It is important that every participant in our church ministries and activities have the utmost confidence in the safety and security team. Trust is essential to effectively handling a crisis. To foster and maintain a high level of trust required, all team members will be required to maintain team discipline as described below.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All members of our safety and security team agree to abide by the following code of conduct as long as they are members of this team.
Team members are expected to:
1. Approach every problem and perform every duty understanding that they are performing a ministry with the ultimate goal of bringing glory to God. Team members will display a servant’s heart in the performance of any team duty.
2. Submit to God’s Law as revealed in the Bible and as implemented by the spiritual leadership of the church when performing any team duty.
3. Submit to the civil law as it applies to the church’s activities when performing any team duty.
4. At all times honor the unique value of every human being, regardless of their conduct or character, when performing any team duty.
PRACTICE STANDARDS
All members of our safety and security team agree to abide by the following practice standards as long as they are members of this team.
Team members are expected to:
1. Follow all church policies, rules, and procedures.
2. Complete all training requirements required by the Safety Director.
3. Communicate availability for scheduling.
4. Serve on the team a minimum of 2 services a month and not miss 6 weeks in a row.
5. Provide documentation of training, injuries, incidents, and other events required by church policies, rules, and procedures in a timely and effective manner.
6. Perform duties in a manner that will maximize the safety and security of participants.
7. Fully cooperate with law enforcement officers and other emergency responders.
8. Protect sensitive or confidential information.
9. Use their authority with restraint and discretion, avoiding the use of unnecessary force.
10. Display exemplary character and conduct in their public and personal lives.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Team members must promptly notify either the SD or the appropriate team leader whenever they become aware that the provisions of this policy have been violated by themselves or others.
The SD and any team leader, once they are aware of any violation of this policy, will take all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure future compliance with the policy. In the process of ensuring future compliance with this policy, it may become necessary to remove team members from their duties.
Any disagreement between the SD or any team leader and a team member about what actions are necessary or reasonable will be resolved by church leadership. Church leadership is the final authority as to what is reasonable and necessary.
Disciplinary actions or prolonged absence will result in the loss of the team member’s lanyard, ID card and removal of team member status and firearms carrying permission if it was granted.
GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL
In the event of allegations against any team members that constitute clear insubordination or that would be a felony offense if prosecuted by the local or federal authorities; the accused team member will be immediately suspended from all duties pending further investigation into the allegations.
In the event of a team member’s arrest or arraignment for any felony offense, the team member shall be suspended from the team. The SD may recommend reinstatement of the team member to church leadership in the event that the charges are dismissed or the team member is otherwise exonerated. Church leadership alone will make the final determination regarding the reinstatement of a team member under these circumstances.
Team members found to be carrying a firearm and that is not authorized to carry will be immediately dismissed from the team.
The SD will develop a policy and related procedures for the use or possession of firearms by team members in accordance with the church policy. All safety and security team members will be trained on the team firearms policy annually, with documentation of this training to be preserved in each member’s file. Any team member authorized to carry a firearm will provide any and all documentation or certifications required by both the church policy and the team policy and procedures prior to carrying a firearm when performing team duties.
CEDARCREEK CHURCH FIREARMS POLICY Policy
CedarCreek will abide by Ohio Revised Code 2923.126 (see Attachment). CedarCreek Church will post signs at campuses that show no weapons except for authorized personnel.
ARMED TEAM MEMBERS
Armed Team Members are given permission to carry a concealed firearm. The SD will ensure that all armed team members have completed the training required. Documentation of completion of all training will be stored in a secure location. Armed team members will be given written permission from the SD upon approval from the Elders and that expires on May 31st or if their credentials expire or they meet any other disqualifier during that year. One month prior to permission expiring, the team member should submit for renewal. The permission to carry will be granted for all CedarCreek facilities and activities unless the state or federal law prohibits it.
CONCEALED CARRY BY NON-TEAM MEMBERS
In order to ensure the safety and security of ministry participants, it is necessary for the SD and the team generally to be able to maintain control of facilities and people in the event of an emergency. It is also imperative that team members be able to effectively communicate and coordinate their actions in response to any emergency.
In light of this operational necessity, Non-Armed Team Members do not have permission to carry a concealed weapon at CedarCreek Campuses or at CedarCreek activities. Upon ratification by church leadership, this policy is the official policy of the church regarding concealed weapons and will be strictly followed and enforced. In the event that any individual refuses to abide by this policy, team members will notify the SD or the security team member in charge who will call law enforcement for assistance in enforcing the policy.
Staff members with a CCW permit and Senior Executive Pastor's approval are permitted to carry a concealed weapon during work hours but not during any CedarCreek event where we have uniformed Police Officers on duty. Staff members who take and pass the Advanced Defensive Handgun course and qualify the OPOTA course may request permission to carry at CedarCreek events. (The course will be paid by the staff person.) Only when permission is granted in writing will they be allowed to carry firearms at CedarCreek events. They then must tell the SD when they are carrying at these events.
APPROVED FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION:
A pistol or revolver, as qualified and approved by the Firearms Director. In the following calibers only:
• .380
• .38 Special
• 9 MM
• .40
• .45 APC
All ammunition, either loaded in the weapon or carried by the Armed Team member shall be Personal Defense only.
Safety Team Specific Disqualifications including but not limited to:
1. Engaging in an immoral act, incompetence, negligence, or conduct that is unbecoming to the applicant’s or person’s position.
2. A plea of guilty to, a finding of guilt by a jury or court of, or a conviction of any of the following:
a. A felony offense
b. An offense of violence as defined in Section 2901.01 of the Ohio Revised Code
c. A theft offense, as defined in Section 2913.01 of the Revised Code
d. A drug abuse offense, as defined in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code
e. A violation of an ordinance of a municipal corporation that is substantively comparable to any offense listed above.
f. A violation of a federal offense that is substantively comparable to any offense listed above
3. Currently under the indictment of any felony offense.
