Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan State Police (MSP) has expanded its Security in Places of Worship training program to enhance safety measures in various places of worship across the state. The training, led by instructors like D/Sgt. David Williams, aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills and resources to ensure the security and resilience of their places of worship.

Williams, assigned to the Grand Rapids Post, emphasized the importance of the training, stating, “We want them to be comfortable, confident and prepared should a security incident happen at their venue. We even work through unarmed responses to an active shooter and how to build a security team.”

Stephanie Whiteside from the Lansing Church of God in Christ, who serves on her church’s security team and has completed the training course, highlighted the shift in mindset regarding security in places of worship, saying, “Security in places of worship used to be a non-topic. Now it is. We are not trained police, so we do need the skills, training and insight. Whether you have 12 or 2,500 members in your congregation, every single person should feel comfortable and secure.”

The demand for the Security in Places of Worship training has been significant, prompting the MSP to increase the frequency of sessions to meet the needs of interested participants. The upcoming sessions are scheduled for May in Swartz Creek and September in the Upper Peninsula, with topics including creating a safety team, developing a security plan, assessing vulnerabilities, and legal considerations for carrying concealed weapons in places of worship.

Approximately 200 individuals have already completed the course, with each class accommodating between 50 to 80 participants. The registration for the May session at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Swartz Creek has closed, while details for the September session in the Upper Peninsula are yet to be announced.

For those seeking more information about the upcoming training sessions or the Security in Places of Worship program, interested individuals can contact Sgt. Allison Lukco at 269-339-1298.