The Safety & Security Team Policy (POL-SECURITY) establishes the responsibilities, authority, expectations, training requirements, and accountability standards for the Safety & Security Team of 1st Free Will Baptist Church of Park Hills.

The church desires to provide a welcoming, orderly, and safe environment for worship, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry. The Safety & Security Team serves as a ministry of protection, awareness, and assistance, helping safeguard the congregation, guests, staff, volunteers, children, youth, vulnerable adults, and church property.

The policy addresses team membership and qualifications, leadership oversight, armed and unarmed responsibilities, emergency response, use of force, training, reporting procedures, confidentiality, and security-related recordkeeping.

Policy Code: POL-SECURITY

General Board Approved: May 31, 2026

Document Status: Official Church Policy

Important Information #

The Safety & Security Team operates under the authority of the Lead Pastor.

The Lead Pastor appoints a Safety & Security Team Leader to assist with team organization, scheduling, communication, training, and coordination.

Individuals serving on the team must be church members, at least 21 years old, approved by the Lead Pastor, and willing to complete required background screening, training, and policy acknowledgments.

Approval to serve on the Safety & Security Team does not automatically authorize an individual to carry a firearm inside church facilities.

The team may include both armed and unarmed members. Individuals serving in armed roles must receive specific authorization from the Lead Pastor and comply with the church’s Firearms and Weapons Policy (POL-WEAPONS).

Safety and Emergency Response #

Team members are expected to demonstrate maturity, sound judgment, self-control, discretion, and a cooperative spirit.

Their responsibilities may include observing for potential safety concerns, assisting during medical emergencies, supporting evacuation or sheltering procedures, protecting vulnerable individuals, responding to disruptive situations, and coordinating with church leadership and emergency responders.

The team’s purpose is to protect and assist—not to intimidate or create an atmosphere of fear.

Members should seek to de-escalate situations when safe and appropriate. Physical intervention must be reasonable and necessary under the circumstances, and deadly force is addressed by the policy as a last resort in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.

Team members must operate within applicable law and church policy. Serving on the Safety & Security Team does not grant law enforcement authority.

Training, Reporting, and Confidentiality #

Safety & Security Team members are expected to participate in training established by the Lead Pastor or Safety & Security Team Leader. The policy calls for training at least annually.

Significant safety incidents, threats, medical emergencies, disruptive behavior, firearm-related incidents, and other serious concerns must be documented according to church reporting procedures.

Confidential security information must be protected. This includes sensitive operational procedures, security vulnerabilities, incident information, emergency plans not intended for public distribution, and records concerning individuals or families.

Approved team membership records, training documentation, background screening information, firearm authorization records, and incident reports must be maintained securely and accessed only by authorized individuals with a legitimate need to know.

This policy is part of the church’s Policies & Best Practices Manual and is subject to the church’s Constitution and Bylaws.