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CHURCH DEPUTIES NOW ON THE JOB |
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Wednesday, 02 December 2009 |
The BCSO Special Deputy Church Protection Program graduated its first 10 participants recently after completion of a required 80-hour training program at the Bradley County Sheriff's Office. As far as I know, this innovative program is the only one of its kind in the nation and I am proud we developed and implemented it.
The program, which began last January and covered many relevant aspects of law enforcement training, is designed as a proactive approach to preventing violence in local churches. These well-trained church deputies have specific law enforcement powers, including the right to carry a gun, and serve as protectors for their respective church bodies. If a violent aggressor should come into their congregation and open fire, they will be on the scene with a level of training and the means to take action to hopefully bring the situation to an immediate stop.
Applicants to the Special Deputy Church Protection Program are required to pass a background investigation, meet the same minimum qualifications as a full time deputy sheriff (with the exception of attending a police academy), and show proof of a bond, as any liability pursuant to State law will remain with the individual or organization. Participating churches must meet 501(c)(3) requirements, have had a physical meeting location for at least the last 12 months and an attendance of at least 50 people. The special deputy candidates are selected by the church from well known, regularly-attending members who are in good standing and who are trustworthy, mature and responsible.
The church protection program has been well-received by most local churches and most people in the community. It also reflects my commitment to every law-abiding citizen’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms for our own protection. I want every church in Bradley County that would like such a partnership with the BCSO to have this option available to them. The program is purely voluntary and offered as a means of safe-guarding our worship services from armed intruders and a level of training that may not be available otherwise.
I have always encouraged a strong partnership between the community and public service agencies. History has shown that Americans excel when we take responsibility for ourselves, our families and our property instead of depending on the government to do everything for us. That is not to say people should take the law into their own hands ~ they most certainly should not; but through the cooperative efforts of community watch groups and law enforcement agencies, we can send a strong, unified and effective message that in Bradley County we will not tolerate or allow ourselves to live in fear of violent criminals.
The next Special Deputy Church Protection Program class is scheduled to begin in January of 2010. For more information, or if you would like to obtain an application packet, contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office at (423) 728 7300 or download the application packet from the “Volunteer Programs” section at the BCSO web site.
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