THREAT ASSESSMENT

What is it?

Threat assessment is a research based process designed to help security professionals distinguish between what is a real threat and what may only appear that way.

What are the advantages of having a threat assessment system?

Utilizing a collaborative threat assessment system within your church creates informed security decisions. Instead of reacting to every ominous communication to your staff, you can determine where to spend time and energy.

• Having a threat assessment system in place puts you in a very defensible position legally should a security breach actually happen. In the violent incidents that have shocked our country, many voices ask, “how could this happen?” in the hours and days after the incidents. Within a week information begins to come in suggesting that this was not a totally unforeseeable event. Then the voices begin asking in the media, “why didn’t anyone do anything?” Since the protocols taught by CSS are the highest standard in the nation, it is quite difficult for anyone to find you negligent.

• A threat assessment system ensures that the rest of your security measures are working together. The images on the cameras become much more valuable if suspects are identified through threat assessment.

• Ultimately, a threat assessment provides a sense of predictability and control which means peace of mind. When your staff and congregation know that there is a methodical, informed way that threats are looked at, everyone feels better.

Where did it originate from?

As a mindset, threat assessment has been around since King David and Sun Tzu pondered questions like, “Who is really trying to kill me?” or “which walls should we reinforce first?” The discerning warrior, armed with as much information as possible, embodied the threat assessment practitioner then as it does today.

The modern art of threat assessment is practiced by almost everyone whose mission includes the protection of human life. The Secret Service, LAPD, the US Marshals, and the FBI are pioneers in research and applied concepts, but are joined by many other agencies as well as partners in the private sector. Together, they work every day to sift through information directed at their interests and determine if threats warrant protective responses or threat management planning.

Why is CSS particularly skilled in it?

The threat assessment experts at CSS work every day with active threats against a diverse range of targeted individuals in a variety of settings. They are members of the well-respected Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and continue to work closely with the Secret Service, the FBI, and a host of other experts around the nation. Their work in the Northwest is known to federal law enforcement agencies, universities, public schools, and private companies as the best-practice model in the field of threat assessment, and their methods and recommendations are being implemented far beyond their home region. Their involvement with CSS stems from a heartfelt desire to protect America’s vital, spiritual foundations.

Practically what does it look like? How does it work?

A threat assessment team meets each week (or as needed) to review information that has come in from a variety of sources within your organization. These sources may include: youth leaders, teachers, counselors, secretaries, web managers, missionaries, and others who have been trained in basic awareness of what kinds of things the security team is looking for. This information is then reviewed by the team in a process that identifies a detailed history of the subject, the relationship the subject has to the church, and other factors that lead to a determination of risk level. Often, team leaders will interact with local law enforcement, mental health professionals, and justice system officials to gather more information. As a picture of the situation develops more clearly, security staff can begin to formulate threat management options. These may include a very casual meeting with a subject, or possibly an increase in other areas of security such as review of camera tapes from a particular date. Other options may include increasing protection around key assets or personnel.

Why does my church need it?

Isn't this more for Rick Warren's church? Your profile as a target is influenced by a variety of factors, of course, media exposure is a significant one. However, in today’s moral climate we’re seeing pastors targeted for their biblical stand on issues that are now political. A church of any size can quickly become the target of someone experiencing severe financial distress, marriage and family problems, drug and alcohol issues or mental health difficulties. Every church should employ threat assessment protocols. Church Security Solutions, LLC makes this training easy enough for any volunteer to grasp and put into practice at your church.

What is involved with the training?

Essentially, risk managers with a general knowledge of security can be trained to a basic, operational level in one 8 hour session. This training will equip your security managers to build their own team, conduct preliminary threat assessments, and know when to contact the threat assessment team at CSS for more help. Our training covers all aspects of threat assessment that are relevant to your organization. CSS will help you implement the things you learn in the training if requested.

For more information contact info@churchsecuritysolutions.com

Contact us or call us today at 503-949-8862 for a free security consultation.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers.”

1 Peter 5:2