How To Start Your Own Safety or Security Team
The fact that you’re asking this question is a step in the right direction. It means that you care about your team, your members, and your visitors. There’s probably a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas in your head that you may be having trouble organizing and getting them down on paper. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Use this guide as a rough framework to get you started. Keep in mind that it’s not exhaustive and there will likely be needs unique to your organization, so be sure to add or subtract as you go along.
Purpose Statement
Begin with a purpose or mission statement. Use it as a lighthouse to keep you on track.
Example Purpose Statement:
“To create a safe and secure environment for everyone within our building and our areas of operation (i.e. special events) using best practices executed by a well-trained, well-prepared group of volunteers.”
Identify Your Team
How many people will you need? Who should those people be? These are good questions! Start by itemizing your needs and your wants, just don’t confuse the two. Make sure you meet your needs when selecting your team and don’t allow your wants to be a deal breaker.
For Example:
Needs
People of character and integrity
Able to pass a background check
Good people skills
Pays attention to detail
Able to make good decisions quickly
Calm under pressure
Willing to put themselves in harm’s way when necessary
Mentally and emotionally stable
Is excellent in the ordinary
Wants
Prior military, law enforcement, or security experience
CPR / First Aid certified
Proficient with firearms / possesses certifications
Proficient in self-defense / martial arts
Identify Their Duties
Based on your school, church, or business, what do you need this team to do? Not only should the duties align with your purpose statement and lay out a clear mission, but it will also help identify training and equipment needs. Plus, it will give prospective team members an idea of what they are getting themselves into.
Example Duties:
Work in two-person teams
Act together as contact and cover during an encounter
Recognize questionable behavior or unsafe situations and proactively respond quickly and appropriately
Patrols inside and out / checks classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, closets, common areas, parking lot, and curtilage
Ensures building is secure / locked
Responds to requests for assistance from staff or guests
Administers first aid
Greets guests
Assists other teams as needed
Work with leadership to create a weekly intelligence bulletin for the security team that highlights known concerns or threats for that week.
Identify Training Needs
Unless your team members already have training and/or prior experience, then they will definitely need training. This is one corner you had better not cut, though you may be tempted to because of time or money. Remember that having a well-trained team only matters when it matters, you just don’t know when that will be.
Example Training Topics:
Organization’s standard operating procedures
State Law
Use of Force
De-escalation and professionalism
CPR, First Aid, and AED
Active shooter response
Child safety protocols
Basic Tactics
Basic Breaching
Tactical Combat Casualty Care
Quarterly training / continuing education
Identify Equipment Needs
The equipment your team will need to get the job done may vary depending on the needs of your organization. Look at the list of the duties you laid out and ask yourself what tools will the team need to do their job? At a minimum you’ll need the first three.
Example List of Equipment:
Handheld two-way radio
Flashlight
Cell phone
Body armor
Firearms
Individual first aid kit (IFAK)
Breaching tools
Identification and Uniforms
Your security team should stand out from your other team members or guests. They should be easily identifiable by anyone on your campus, responding police officers, and yes, by anyone who wishes to commit violence. Their neat appearance and identification as security personnel will inspire confidence in your members and guests, consternation in a would-be attacker, and let the police know who they can trust and who they can talk to should they respond for any given reason.
Example Uniform / ID:
Easily identifiable t-shirt, polo shirt, or blazer with insignias
Bright contrasting colors with reflective lettering
Name tag
Photo ID on lanyard
Hopefully you found this guide helpful and it got your wheels turning. Let me just say that the fact you are thinking about this and taking steps to implement a security team will be greatly appreciated by your team. They are worried about an attack like an active shooter — they may not say it, but they are thinking about it, and they are looking to you to take the lead. My hat is off to you, so keep going!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need help along the way. We offer consulting services and training opportunities for you and your team.
