you win 100% of the fights you never have to engage in.
“The best fights are the ones we avoid.”
The author of that quote is Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the 2010 version of “The Karate Kid.” If a celebrity martial artist says it, then it must be true, right?
Fortunately, we don’t have to rely on the word of the talented (but not necessarily authoritative) star of the “Rush Hour” and “Drunken Master” movies. Common sense and ethics dictate that avoiding unnecessary altercations are in everyone’s best interest.
Against this is a popular misconception of security that confines it to confronting and subduing troublemakers. While this is sometimes necessary, it should not be the only tool available to security volunteers and personnel.
Nowhere is conflict de-escalation more important than when approaching an armed – or possibly armed – individual at your church or nonprofit organization. A direct confrontation risks a shootout in a public forum with the possibility of collateral damage. Ignoring the problem is also a risk. What if the man with the concealed weapon planned for this to be his last day on earth?
The process of defusing this potential hazard begins with identifying and understanding body language indicators of people carrying concealed weapons. Once a person is identified, the next step is to approach them – but with great care and purpose. Many people carrying a concealed weapon have no ill intent. However, if government regulations or your church’s policy prohibit weapons, the carrier is acting inappropriately. Out of caution, even good guys with guns need to be approached with respect.
In addition to identifying the body language of people carrying concealed weapons, this webinar will also explore observable characteristics of people exhibiting mental and emotional distress. These people may not be suspected of carrying a weapon, but still display symptoms of volatility. And while they may not be in possession of a gun, a weapon could be as close as their vehicle in the parking lot. Distressed individuals may exhibit erratic behavior stemming from child custody disputes, volatile relationships, mental illness and substance abuse. The art and science of de-escalation are all about putting the genie back into the bottle without breaking it.
In addition to being the right thing, de-escalation:
•Prevents injury and death.
•Prevents the trauma that occurs when a public altercation occurs at your church or organization.
•Prevents the negative press generated by police responding to break up a fight at your church.
•Prevents potential litigation (and costs) resulting from an altercation.
•Prevents insurance claims that may result from a violent incident on your property.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
•How to recognize the body language and attire of someone who is likely carrying a concealed weapon (including a weapon in a purse).
•Methods of peaceably approaching someone who is carrying a weapon.
•How to reach a consensus that leads to the concealed-carrying person disarming himself.
•How to identify traits of people exhibiting mental and emotional distress.
•How to respond to people exhibiting these symptoms.
•How a security team can partner with pastoral staff when distressed individuals are identified.
•What to do when an individual refuses to disarm and resists attempts to de-escalate.
•When to call law enforcement.
Our Expert
VAUGHN BAKER
Vaughn Baker is president of Strategos International, a Independence, Mo.,-based firm providing security training, consulting and executive protection services. Baker has 20 years of experience in law enforcement including patrol, investigation, SWAT and special operations. He has trained thousands of church, school, health care, government, law enforcement and military personnel in security practices. Baker is also the author of The Church Security Handbook.
