The Contact/Cover Approach for Handling Suspicious Individuals

In an ever-dangerous world, the safety of our congregations has become a priority for many churches. With the growing need to ensure a secure environment, church security teams are increasingly adopting strategies from law enforcement to manage potential threats effectively. One such strategy is the contact/cover technique, a tried-and-true method that emphasizes both safety and teamwork when approaching and interacting with suspicious individuals.

The contact/cover technique involves two team members working in tandem: one as the primary contact who engages directly with the individual, and the other as the cover, providing critical support and overwatch. This approach not only enhances the safety of the team members but also allows for better control of the situation, reducing the likelihood of escalation.

Implementing the contact/cover technique within your church’s security protocol can significantly enhance the overall safety of the congregation and you. It is easy to use and learn and has saved thousands of police officers from attacks from dangerous people.

Understanding the Contact/Cover Technique

The contact/cover technique is a fundamental strategy used in law enforcement, designed to manage potentially dangerous situations by leveraging teamwork and tactical positioning. This method is rooted in the principle that safety and control are best maintained when responsibilities are clearly defined between two officers or security team members.

In the contact/cover technique, two team members work together to approach and engage with a suspicious individual. The first member, known as the "contact," takes the lead role by initiating the conversation, asking questions, and interacting directly with the person of interest. The second member, referred to as the "cover," stands at a strategic distance, observing the surroundings, monitoring the behavior of the individual, and remaining ready to intervene if necessary.

The primary goals of the contact/cover approach are threefold:

1. Safety: By dividing responsibilities, the contact/cover technique ensures that the team can maintain a safe distance and be prepared to respond to any sudden threats. The cover person serves as an extra set of eyes, focusing on potential risks that the contact person might miss while engaged in conversation.

2. Controlling the Situation: The clear division of roles allows the contact person to focus entirely on managing the interaction, while the cover person provides additional control over the environment. This dual focus helps prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, as both team members can quickly address any emerging issues.

3. Preventing Escalation: One of the key advantages of the contact/cover technique is its ability to de-escalate potentially volatile situations. With one person dedicated to engaging the individual calmly and another ready to provide backup if needed, the technique reduces the likelihood of the encounter escalating into a confrontation.

By understanding and effectively implementing the contact/cover technique, church security teams can ensure that they are better equipped to handle interactions with suspicious individuals, keeping both the team and the congregation safe.

The cover officer watches the contact person while they deal with a person. You more than likely won’t be searching anyone in church security, but this gives you an idea of how it looks.

Why Contact/Cover is Necessary for Church Security

Church security teams face unique challenges that differ significantly from those encountered by traditional law enforcement. One of the most significant challenges is maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment while simultaneously ensuring the safety and security of the congregation. Churches are, by nature, open spaces meant for worship, reflection, and community, and any security measures must be carefully balanced to avoid creating an atmosphere of fear or exclusion.

The contact/cover technique is particularly well-suited to addressing these challenges. By designating one team member as the contact and another as the cover, this approach allows the church to remain a welcoming place while still being vigilant about potential threats. The contact person engages directly with the individual, maintaining a calm and approachable demeanor. This helps to avoid any immediate alarm or discomfort among other congregants. Meanwhile, the cover person remains at a discreet distance, observing the interaction and ready to provide support if the situation escalates. This dual approach ensures that security is handled professionally without compromising the church's open and inviting atmosphere.

Real-World Scenarios Where Contact/Cover is Used

1. Approaching a Suspicious Visitor: Imagine a situation where an unfamiliar individual enters the church during a service and exhibits odd behavior, such as pacing back and forth or avoiding eye contact. The contact/cover technique allows the security team to approach the individual in a non-threatening manner. The contact person can engage the visitor with friendly questions to determine their intentions, while the cover person watches for any signs of aggression or potential danger. If the situation remains calm, the visitor might simply be someone in need of help or guidance. However, if the behavior escalates, the cover person is prepared to intervene quickly.

2. Handling a Disturbance During Service: During a busy church service, a member of the congregation starts raising their voice and causing a disturbance. Using the contact/cover technique, the security team can quickly assess and address the situation. The contact person calmly approaches the individual, seeking to understand and de-escalate the issue. At the same time, the cover person remains in the background, ensuring that other congregants are not put at risk and that the situation does not get out of hand. This approach allows the team to manage the disturbance discreetly, maintaining the peace of the service while ensuring everyone’s safety.

3. Intervening in a Domestic Dispute: If a church security team encounters a situation involving a domestic dispute on church grounds, the contact/cover technique becomes invaluable. The contact person can approach the couple and attempt to mediate the situation without inflaming tensions, while the cover person stays alert to any signs that the dispute might turn violent. This arrangement not only protects the individuals involved in the dispute but also ensures the safety of bystanders and other congregants.

In each of these scenarios, the contact/cover technique provides a balanced approach to security, allowing the team to address potential threats effectively while preserving the church’s mission as a place of peace and sanctuary. This method ensures that safety measures are robust yet unobtrusive, which is vital for maintaining the delicate balance between security and hospitality in a church setting.

Implementing Contact/Cover: Step-by-Step Guide

Team Coordination and Communication

Effective implementation of the contact/cover technique begins with clear communication and well-defined roles within the security team. It's essential that each team member understands their specific responsibilities and how to execute them under varying circumstances.

Importance of Clear Communication and Predefined Roles:

• Clear communication is important for ensuring that both the contact and cover members are on the same page throughout any interaction. Miscommunication or ambiguity can lead to hesitation or mistakes, potentially compromising the safety of the team and the congregation.

• Predefined roles help eliminate confusion during critical moments. Each team member should know whether they are designated as the contact or the cover in different scenarios. This clarity enables them to act swiftly and confidently when a situation arises.

Tips for Coordinating the Contact/Cover Approach:

• Regular Security Meetings: Use regular team meetings to review the contact/cover technique, discuss recent incidents, and role-play different scenarios. This helps reinforce roles and ensures that every team member is comfortable with the process.

• Use of Communication Devices: Equip your team with reliable communication devices, such as radios or discreet earpieces, to maintain constant communication during an incident. This allows the cover person to alert the contact person of any emerging threats without drawing attention.

Approaching the Suspicious Individual

The manner in which the contact person approaches a suspicious individual is important for maintaining control of the situation and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Approach Strategy:

• Initiating the Conversation: The contact person should approach the individual in a calm and non-confrontational manner, using open body language and a neutral tone of voice. This helps to set a non-threatening tone for the interaction. The initial approach should be framed as a casual conversation, with the contact person introducing themselves and inquiring if the individual needs assistance or has any concerns.

• Strategic Distance of the Cover Person: While the contact person engages the individual, the cover person should position themselves at a strategic distance, close enough to observe and react but far enough to avoid appearing intimidating. The cover person should remain slightly behind and to the side of the individual, giving them a clear view of both the contact person and the surrounding area. If the person escalates the encounter, the cover should come in and triangulate the suspect with the contact officer.

Importance of Body Positioning and Maintaining a Safe Distance:

• Body Positioning: Proper body positioning is key to maintaining control. The contact person should stand at an angle, with one foot slightly forward, allowing them to move quickly if necessary. The cover person should avoid standing directly in front of or behind the individual, instead positioning themselves to maintain a clear line of sight and an unobstructed path to intervene if needed. A good way of doing this is to form a triangle between the contact, the cover and the suspect.

• Safe Distance: Maintaining a safe distance is essential for both the contact and cover persons. The contact person should remain close enough to engage effectively but far enough to avoid being grabbed or struck. The cover person should keep a slightly greater distance to allow them to observe without drawing attention, but be ready to close the gap quickly if the situation escalates. The contact should be about 7 to 10 feet away from the suspect.

Engagement and Observation

Once the initial approach is made, the focus shifts to effective engagement and continuous observation.

Engaging the Individual:

• Verbal De-escalation Techniques: The contact person should employ verbal de-escalation techniques to calm the individual and prevent the situation from becoming confrontational. This includes using a calm and steady voice, avoiding aggressive language, and actively listening to the individual’s responses. The goal is to defuse any tension and gain the individual’s trust, reducing the likelihood of escalation.

• Open-Ended Questions: Asking open-ended questions can help the contact person gather information without making the individual feel cornered. Questions like "How can I assist you today?" or "Is there something on your mind?" allow the person to express themselves, providing the security team with valuable insight into their intentions.

Role of the Cover Person:

• Observing the Surroundings: The cover person’s primary responsibility is to maintain vigilance over the environment. This includes watching for other potential threats, ensuring that the interaction does not draw unnecessary attention, and being prepared to respond if the situation changes.

• Monitoring the Individual’s Behavior: The cover person should also closely observe the behavior of the individual, looking for signs of agitation, aggression, or attempts to conceal weapons or other dangerous objects. Their role is to anticipate potential threats and communicate any concerns to the contact person or other team members as needed.

• Keep People Away: The cover officer can also keep crowds away from the person the contact officer is talking to (if necessary). The cover can also watch for persons associated with the suspect that might want to harm the contact.

Dealing with Escalation

Even with the best preparation and de-escalation techniques, some situations may escalate, requiring swift and decisive action from the security team. Remember, it takes two people to de-escalate. If the other party does not want to de-escalate, it won’t work.

Strategies for Handling Escalation:

• Recognizing Early Warning Signs: Both the contact and cover persons should be trained to recognize early warning signs of escalation, such as raised voices, hostile body language, or attempts to evade questioning. Identifying these signs early allows the team to take preemptive measures to regain control.

• Intervention by the Cover Person: If the situation begins to escalate, the cover person may need to step in. This could involve moving closer to provide physical support to the contact person and possibly even physically intervening if the individual poses an immediate threat.

• Calling for Backup: In cases where the situation continues to deteriorate, the contact person should not hesitate to call for additional backup. This could involve alerting other security team members, contacting local law enforcement, or activating emergency protocols within the church. The cover should not be doing anything except watching the contact’s back and ensuring he/she is not harmed.

Importance of the Cover Person’s Role During Escalation:

• The cover person plays a critical role during escalation, providing the necessary support to ensure the safety of both the contact person and the congregation. Their ability to observe, communicate, and act quickly can prevent a volatile situation from turning into a dangerous confrontation.

• The cover person must also be prepared to take over as the primary contact if the original contact person is incapacitated or otherwise unable to continue managing the situation.

By following this step-by-step guide, church security teams can effectively implement the contact/cover technique, ensuring that they are well-prepared to handle interactions with suspicious individuals in a way that prioritizes safety, control, and the preservation of a peaceful environment.

Training Your Team in Contact/Cover

Implementing the contact/cover technique within your church security team requires more than just understanding the concept; it necessitates regular and rigorous training. Continuous practice ensures that each team member is not only familiar with their role but can also execute it confidently under pressure. Effective training prepares your team to respond swiftly and appropriately in real-world situations, where the safety of the congregation may depend on their actions.

The Importance of Regular Training Sessions

Regular training sessions are crucial for honing the skills needed to execute the contact/cover technique effectively. These sessions provide an opportunity for the team to:

• Build Muscle Memory: Repeated practice of the contact/cover roles helps team members develop muscle memory, allowing them to react instinctively in high-stress situations.

• Enhance Communication: Training together fosters better communication and teamwork, ensuring that each member knows when and how to signal their partner or call for backup.

• Adapt to Different Scenarios: Every situation is unique, and regular training allows the team to practice various scenarios, ensuring they are prepared for a range of potential incidents.

Without regular practice, even the most well-planned strategies can fall apart in the heat of the moment. Consistent training ensures that the contact/cover technique becomes second nature to your team, allowing them to maintain control and composure, regardless of the circumstances.

Training Drills for Real-Life Scenarios

To effectively prepare your team, it’s essential to conduct training drills that simulate real-life scenarios specific to the church environment. Here are some suggested drills:

1. Simulated Suspicious Visitor:

   • Set up a scenario where an unknown individual enters the church during a service and exhibits unusual behavior. The team must use the contact/cover technique to approach, engage, and assess the individual without alarming the congregation.

   • This drill should focus on the contact person’s ability to engage calmly and the cover person’s observation skills. After the drill, review how effectively the team communicated and maintained control.

2. Domestic Dispute Simulation:

   • Create a scenario where two individuals are arguing loudly in a common area of the church. The contact/cover team must intervene to de-escalate the situation while ensuring the safety of other congregants.

   • Emphasize the importance of body positioning, verbal de-escalation techniques, and readiness to step in if the situation escalates.

3. Service Disruption Drill:

   • Simulate a scenario where a member of the congregation begins causing a disruption during a service. The team must discreetly manage the situation using the contact/cover approach to minimize disturbance while ensuring the safety of all attendees.

   • This drill should highlight the need for subtlety and discretion, as well as the ability to respond quickly if the individual becomes aggressive.

4. Post-Service Interaction:

   • Set up a scenario where an individual lingers after a service and begins asking unusual or probing questions to congregants or staff. The contact/cover team should approach the individual to assess their intentions and manage the interaction.

   • Focus on the contact person’s questioning technique and the cover person’s ability to monitor the broader environment for additional threats or distractions.

After each drill, conduct a debriefing session to discuss what went well and where improvements can be made. Encourage team members to provide feedback on their roles and how the scenario unfolded. This discussion is key to refining the team’s approach and ensuring that everyone is comfortable with the technique.

The contact/cover technique is a proven strategy that can significantly enhance the safety and effectiveness of church security teams. By dividing roles between the contact person, who engages directly with suspicious individuals, and the cover person, who provides critical support and observation, this method ensures that your team can handle potential threats with confidence and control.

Throughout this article, we've explored the importance of clear communication, strategic positioning, and regular training in successfully implementing the contact/cover technique. We've also highlighted how this approach allows your team to balance the need for vigilance with the church's mission of being a welcoming and peaceful environment.

Integrating the contact/cover technique into your church's overall security strategy is not just about improving safety—it's about empowering your team to respond effectively to any situation while maintaining the integrity of the worship experience. By doing so, you can protect your congregation and uphold the sanctity of your church as a place of refuge and community.

I encourage church security teams to adopt this approach and tailor it to the unique needs of their congregations. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with implementing the contact/cover technique, please feel free to leave a comment below. Your insights and feedback are invaluable as we work together to create safer worship environments.