Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington continues to emphasize the importance of safety in houses of worship, hosting a Church Security/Safety Session at the Viking Drive Substation.

During the session, Chief Deputy Matt Gaydos spoke about the importance of church safety and encouraged attendees to develop written response plans for their respective churches. He emphasized that Sheriff Whittington places a high priority on assisting churches through training, education, and response planning.

Shawn Phillips, Asst. Chief of the Criminal Division, led a question-and-answer discussion, providing guidance on identifying potential threats, establishing response plans, and coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office during emergencies.

Sergeant Gauthier with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy also spoke with attendees, discussing additional training opportunities and distributed resources for churches interested in conducting their own safety training. He also explained deputy response procedures and provided guidance on ways to remain safe during a critical situation.

For more information regarding church security training, contact the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy at training@bossiersheriff.com or 318-965-2203.