A church is meant to be open to everyone. That openness is exactly what makes church security a challenge: services draw large crowds at predictable times, doors stay unlocked, and most of the people helping are volunteers. Hub Security and Investigative Group provides church security officers in Boston and across Massachusetts for churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship, with a presence that protects the congregation without changing the feel of the service.

What Church Security Officers Do

A welcoming presence at the doors. Officers greet people alongside ushers and greeters, and quietly watch for anyone acting out of place.
Parking lot coverage. Watching the lot during services, when cars sit unattended and people walk to and from the building.
Children’s areas. Supporting the church’s check-in and pick-up procedures for nursery and children’s ministry rooms.
Offering and money handling. Escorting the people who count and carry the collection.
Disturbance response. Calmly handling a disruptive person, with de-escalation first and police called when needed.
Emergencies. Hub’s new hires complete Massachusetts Crowd Manager certification through the Department of Fire Services, along with CPR, First Aid and Narcan training.

When Churches Add Professional Security

Large services, holidays, weddings and funerals.
Events that draw people from outside the congregation.
After a threat, a break-in or a disturbance.
When volunteer safety teams need professional backup.

How Hub Plans Church Security

A meeting with church leaders about the services, events and concerns.
A walk-through of entrances, the sanctuary, children’s areas, offices and parking.
Written post orders that fit the church’s practices: where officers stand, how they work with ushers and the safety team, and who to call.
Officers dressed to fit, in uniform or professional attire.
Coverage that fits the calendar: weekly services, holidays or special events.

Our free church security plan for church leaders and volunteers walks through building a plan with your own team. For a full review of the property, see our security risk assessment.

Church Security Tips for Leaders and Volunteers

Assign greeters to every open entrance, and limit the number of doors in use during services.
Use a check-in and pick-up system for children’s areas, and never let one adult be alone with a child.
Count and move the offering with at least two people, on a varied schedule.
Agree on a simple signal ushers can use to call for help without alarming the congregation.
Know your exits and practice an evacuation once a year.
Lock offices and unused rooms during services.
Write down every incident, even small ones, and review them with church leaders.

Why Houses of Worship Choose Hub

Hub Security and Investigative Group was founded in 2004 by police officers. All of our officers are Hub employees; we do not use subcontractors. We carry $3 million in general liability insurance and hold Private Detective Firm License #LP0203L, issued through the Massachusetts State Police Certification Unit. Dispatch is staffed 24/7 at (617) 857-1200.

Church Security in Boston and Across Massachusetts

Hub covers houses of worship in Boston, the surrounding cities and towns, and across Massachusetts. For one-time events such as a large holiday service, see also our event security services. New accounts are typically matched with an officer within 24 to 48 hours of an approved quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should church security officers be armed?

Many churches choose unarmed, uniformed officers. Armed coverage can make sense when there is a specific, known threat. We talk it through with church leaders during planning.

Can you work alongside our volunteer safety team?

Yes. Our officers can support an existing team, with roles agreed in the post orders.

Can you cover only holiday services?

Yes. Coverage can be weekly, seasonal or for single events.

Request Church Security

Call (617) 857-1200, with dispatch staffed 24/7, or request a quote online. Tell us about the congregation, the services you want covered and any concerns.