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A church security program, sponsored by Johnson County Sheriff Edward Tester, will be held on Saturday, June 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1288 Cold Springs Road, Mountain City. Sheriff Tester said the program is open to all churches. With all the active shooter events occurring and several of them involving churches, Tester said he wanted to present the training program to better educate people on how to handle an event should it ever occur. The program will be beneficial to anyone who attends.
There will also be a security lesson plan available for anyone who requests one. “The lesson plan has met all the standards from a legal team and is considered one of the best,” Tester said. “The program will focus on active shooter but will cover other security issues.”
Special Agent Jerry Stout with Homeland Security will be one of the instructors along with Retired Chief of Police Ken Potter, who has trained several churches in the Tri-Cities and assisted in setting up programs. Potter is also a state certified instructor and teaches security programs. Constable Kent Harris will also be on the program. Harris, who pulls security for a Tri-Cities church, will offer tips on what to look for and detect warning signs early.
A question and answer session will be available at the end of the training.
Sheriff Tester said he is proud to present this program absolutely free.
You may call Sheriff Tester at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office or his cell (423) 471-1225, or email him at sheriffet@johnsonsd.org.