Contact and Cover Concept in Church Security: A Protective Strategy
Romans 13:4 - "For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."
What is the Contact/Cover Concept?
The contact/cover concept is a tactical strategy, initially developed for law enforcement, designed to enhance the safety of officers during interactions with potential threats. The principle involves two roles - a contact officer who directly interacts with the individual in question, and a cover officer who monitors the situation, ready to intervene if necessary. However, as Steve Albrecht, a 15-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department and co-author of a seminal book on the subject, lamented in a 2018 article for Police Magazine, this concept seems to have faded into obscurity in many law enforcement circles. Despite this, the concept still holds significant value and can be applied effectively in various security contexts, including church security.
The History of the Contact/Cover Concept
The San Diego Police Department pioneered the concept of contact and cover officers in the late 20th century, spurred on by the tragic losses of officers in the line of duty. According to Albrecht, the concept was championed by the likes of Lieutenant John Morrison and Sergeant Chuck Peck, amongst others. The goal was simple yet effective: divide duties between contact and cover officers and to ensure officers could focus on their respective tasks without trying to juggle multiple roles at once.
The strategy was subsequently encapsulated in a training video that was used across local, state, and federal agencies. Despite its widespread use and effectiveness, Albrecht noted a decline in the concept's popularity, which he attributed to changes in police academy curricula and reductions in law enforcement personnel due to economic pressures.
Contact/Cover in Church Security
Contact Officer in Church Security
In the context of church security, the role of the contact officer revolves around direct interaction and communication with the individuals involved in the situation at hand. This officer is responsible for interviewing individuals to discern what transpired, whether it's a minor misunderstanding, a domestic dispute, or an emotionally charged confrontation.
The contact officer must utilize skills in effective communication, empathy, and conflict resolution to calm down emotionally disturbed individuals and maintain a peaceful atmosphere within the church. They might need to reassure distressed members, guide agitated individuals away from crowded areas, or gather information from a person that could potentially pose a threat.
In some scenarios, the contact officer might also need to coordinate with external entities such as local law enforcement or medical services. Throughout these tasks, the contact officer remains focused on resolving the situation in a non-confrontational and peaceful manner, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of the church community.
Cover Officer in Church Security
The cover officer, on the other hand, provides cover and presents a forceful presence. This sends a message to the individual or any other people nearby that the officer is there to protect the contact officer. The cover officer maintains vigilance, constantly assessing the situation and environment for escalating danger. They should position themselves to see or hear what's happening but not too close to be seen as overly intimidating.
Contrary to the contact officer's duties, the cover officer does not directly engage in the conversation, fill out forms, or search belongings. They instead focus on providing information the contact officer could have missed and are ready to intervene if the situation worsens.
Implementing Contact/Cover in Church Security
Training: Regular and comprehensive training is crucial. This training should encompass communication, de-escalation techniques, situational awareness, and understanding of the specific roles of contact/cover officers.
Clear Roles: Roles must be well defined and understood by all security team members.
Adaptability: In some situations, officers may need to switch roles, depending on their expertise, knowledge of the subject, or language proficiency.
Teamwork: This concept relies heavily on teamwork. Trust and effective communication between the contact/cover officer are paramount to the strategy's success.
The contact/cover concept, while seeming to fade in some law enforcement sectors, is still a valuable tool in the realm of church security. Despite the challenges, including shifting societal demands and evolving threats, the core principles of contact/cover remain a relevant and effective strategy for ensuring the safety of all within the church environment. As Albrecht put it, the goal is for all security personnel to have a long and safe career – a sentiment that applies as much to church security teams as it does to law enforcement.
Sources
Albrecht, S. (2018, July 13). Is Contact and Cover Dead? Police Magazine. https://www.policemag.com/training/article/15346270/is-contact-and-cover-dead.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Q: What is the concept of contact/cover in church security?
A: The concept of contact/cover in church security refers to a protective strategy where one officer takes the lead in making contact with a potential threat while another officer provides cover and support.
Q: Why is officer safety important in the concept of contact/cover?
A: Officer safety is crucial in the concept of contact/cover because it ensures that the officers involved in the security operation are protected and able to effectively respond to any potential threats.
Q: How does the contact officer ensure officer survival?
A: The contact officer, who takes the lead in making contact with the potential threat, is responsible for assessing the situation, maintaining suspect control, and ensuring officer survival through effective communication and tactical decision-making.
Q: What is the role of the cover officer in contact/cover training?
A: The role of the cover officer in contact/cover training is to provide support and backup to the contact officer, maintaining visual contact with the suspect and being ready to respond if necessary.
Q: How does the cover officer assist in maintaining control of the suspect?
A: The cover officer's presence and readiness to respond help to deter the suspect from attempting any aggressive actions, thus assisting in maintaining suspect control during the contact/cover operation.
Q: What is the business of the contact in the contact/cover concept?
A: The business of the contact refers to the actions and tasks that the contact officer performs when engaging with a potential threat or suspect, such as initial assessment, communication, and taking necessary precautions.
Q: What is the role of the cover officer when the contact officer is engaging a suspect?
A: The cover officer, while the contact officer is engaging a suspect, stays focused on the overall situation, maintaining situational awareness, and providing immediate support if the need arises.
Q: How does the contact officer hand over control of the suspect to the cover officer?
A: The contact officer can hand over control of the suspect to the cover officer by effectively communicating the situation, providing necessary information, and ensuring a smooth transition of responsibility.
Q: What should the responding officer do when arriving at a contact /cover situation?
A: When arriving at a contact/cover situation, the responding officer should quickly assess the situation, identify the roles of the contact/cover officers, and provide support as needed.
Q: How should the contact/cover concept be implemented in a church security setting?
A: To implement the contact/cover concept in a church security setting, it is important to provide proper training to the security team members, clearly define roles and responsibilities, and establish effective communication channels.