Special Deputy program coming to Knoxville churches www.privateofficer.com
Posted by privateofficernews on August 4, 2008
Special Deputy Program Coming To Knoxville Churches www.privateofficer.com
The church shooting in Knoxville marked the fourth time in 15 months that an American church became a scene of a fatal shooting.
That fact has one local sheriff taking action.
And it means church goers could soon carry more than just a Bible to worship services.
It’s called the Special Deputy Church Protection Program.
And it’s the brainchild of Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble.
Gobble says the deputies will have specific law enforcement functions which includes carrying a gun.
But you and your church must meet certain qualifications.
Gobble finds, “If a violent aggressor comes into their assembly and starts shooting someone, these armed individuals can take actions immediately to bring that to a stop.”
The church deputies must meet the same minimum qualifications as a full-time deputy sheriff – complete with a background check and training each year.
But they are not required to attend a police academy.
Churches must appoint a well-known, regular attending member, meet 501 c-3 requirments and have a physical location for at least 12 months with an attendance of at least 50 people.
Church secretary Brenda Howell says, “I think everyone has gotten to the point where they know they need to watch what other people are doing around them and I think no one is exempt from this including the church.”
Howell has been a church secretary for 16 years.
She says her church already has some safety precautions in place, like locked entrance doors.
Personally, she thinks the new program could work in some situations.
Others question the practicality of the program.
Reed Shell/Senior Pastor, Broad Street Methodist Church ask, “We have many people in the building, many entrances to accomidate our various entries of parking. Where will you intercept someone who comes in with the intention to do harm?”
Sheriff Gobble admits the program is not for every church.
For more information or to obtain an application packet, click here. Go to the “Volunteer Programs” section. Or call the BCSO at 423-728-7300.
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