Police Offer Free Training to Keep Congregations Safe

In response to growing concerns about church safety, the London Police Department is taking proactive measures to help local congregations bolster their security. On September 2, 2025, the department will be hosting a free church security training session from 6-8 p.m. at the London Community Center.

The training will be led by Acting Chief of Police Bobby Day, who brings over 30 years of tactical law enforcement and threat assessment experience. The session is designed to provide churches with practical strategies for recognizing potential threats and ensuring the safety of their congregations without compromising the welcoming atmosphere.

"It just gives the churches some better tactics and strategies for determining if people are there for the right reasons," Day explained. "What we're doing in the class is just making it very welcoming but being very aware of things that people need to look out for."

In addition to active threat preparation, the training will also cover broader safety planning, such as medical emergencies, food allergies, weather-related issues, and evacuation procedures. Day has taught similar courses across the country, including in Hawaii, New York, Florida, and California, and has worked with security teams preparing for major events like the 2016 Republican National Convention.

The London Police Department's Public Information Officer, Hobie Daugherty, emphasized that the goal of the training is to ensure the community's well-being. "It really just goes back to us taking care of our community -- making sure that they're safe and prepared," Daugherty said.

The training is open to churches, church leaders, and places of worship concerned with the safety of their congregations. Day stressed that the approach is proactive, aimed at "making sure everybody's there for the right reason as opposed to a reactive approach."