Security In The Courthouse
Presented by
Harold C. Gillens, PSP, CFC, CHS-III
South Carolina
Clerks of Court and Master of Deeds
Annual Conference
Introduction
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Security Best Practices indicate that we
should transition from being a REACTIVE
Society to a PROACTIVE Society
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Are you focused on PREPAREDNESS & PREVENTION?
Agenda
 Security Standards & Guidelines
 Self Assessment / Security Audit
 Security & Emergency Planning
 The Security Architect/Consultant’s Role
 Conclusion
Security Standards &
Guidelines
Standard & Guidelines
(Security Best Practices)
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Administrator’s Office Directives/Order
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Mission – Protecting People, Property, and
Information
Directive/Order Coverage
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Daily Security Procedures
Procedures to Protect The Pubic & Court Staff
Courthouse Staff Security
Security of Judicial Officers
Security Equipment
Security Planning
Courthouse Design/Build & Remodeling
Considerations
Security Checklist/Assessments
SC Order of the Chief Justice
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Order # 2005-08-31-01
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Established – Court Security Committee
Required the Development of a Comprehensive
Security Checklist
Required A Security Audit to be Performed
Required the Development of a Security Plan
Order # 2006-08-04-01
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Stated - Comprehensive Checklist delivered to
Committee
Committee to perform Security Audit
Security Plan to be delivered by October 30, 2006
SC Order of the Chief Justice
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Order # 2012-03-28-01
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Required the Security Committee and Security
Manager to review the Security Plan for compliance
and identify security needs.
Report the status of the plan and security needs to
the State Court Administrator by June 15, 2012
SC Code of Laws
SCLEA 26.1, 2, 3
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SC Code of Laws Section 23-15-80
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Sheriff or their deputies shall attend all circuit court
and enforce the courts established rules
SC Law Enforcement Accreditation
Manual Chapter 26
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Sections 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3 – Established
Standards for the Agency responsible for security
within the courtroom, courthouse itself or both.
Self Assessment/Security Audit
Physical Security Checklist
(Security Best Practices)
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Perimeter Fencing & Gates
Perimeter Lighting
Landscaping
Parking Areas
Windows, Doors, and Other Opening
Ceilings and Walls (true floor to ceiling)
Alarm Systems (intrusion detection devices)
Crawl Space and HVAC Ducting Access Control
protection)
Elevator Controls (Card Access or Key Control)
Public Areas (restrooms, waiting rooms, etc.)
Offices Handling Money
Daily Courthouse Procedures
Courthouse Procedures
(tamper
SAMPLE Comprehensive Checklist
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SEE HANDOUTS
Security & Emergency Planning
Court Security Plan
(The Proactive Approach)
(Security Best Practices)
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General Security Elements
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Mail Handling
ID and Access Control
Parking Plan
Interior/Exterior Lighting Plan
Intrusion/Panic Alarm Systems
Fire Detection/Equipment
Emergency/Auxiliary Power
Private Security Contractors
Administrative/Clerk’s Office Security
Jury Personnel/Jury Room
Court Security Plan
(The Proactive Approach)
(Security Best Practices)
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General Security Elements
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Public Demonstrations
Vital Records Storage
Evacuation Planning
After-Hours Operations
Custodial Services
Computer and Data Security
Workplace Violence
(Continues)
Court Security Plan
(The Proactive Approach)
(Security Best Practices)
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Operational Security Elements
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Security Personnel and Staffing
Perimeter and Entry Screening
Prisoner/Inmate Transport
Holding Cells
Interior and Public Waiting Areas
Courtroom Security
Jury Trial Procedures
High Risk/High Profile Trials
Judicial Protection
Incident Reporting and Recording
Security Personnel/Staff Training
Courthouse Communication
Bomb Threats
Court Security Plan
(The Proactive Approach)
(Security Best Practices)
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Operational Security Elements
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(continues)
Hostage/Escape/Lockdown/Active Shooter Procedures
Firearms Policies and Procedures
Restraint of Defendants
The Security Architect
/ Consultant’s Role
Security Committee Support
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Are your Security Committee equipped to develop and
support every element of your Security Plan?
Keep in Mind – This is a Collateral Duty for every
member (focus and time management)
Here are some elements they may require assistance
with:
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Risk and Vulnerability Assessments / Security Audits
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Electronic Systems Design and Installation Management
(Access Control, Intrusion Detection, IP Video Management/CCTV,
Parking Control, Mass Notification, and Intercom Systems)
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Workplace Violence Awareness & Training
Design Build & Renovation – Security Architect Support
New Courthouse Design/Build &
The Security Architect
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Is a Courthouse in your 3 to 5 year Master Plan?
Who is the 1st person you will hire in your design/build
process?
How will you address security during your design/build
process?
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Require your Architect to have a Security Planner on staff?
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Hire a Security Planner directly?
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Tell the General Contractor to “throw” something in?
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Implement your security requirements after the building has
been built?
The Architect versus
General Contractor
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Architect’s Role
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Direct End-User Support
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Facility Programing of interior and exterior spaces
Design Services
Specification Development
Support Bid Process and GC Selection
Construction management support
GC’s Role
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Material Procurement and Construction per Specs
Construction Management
Security Consultants versus
Systems Integrator
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Consultant’s Role
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Direct End-User Support
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(Physical & Electronic Security)
Facility Programing of interior and exterior spaces
Security Design
Specification Development
Support Bid Process and Integrator Selection
Installation management support
Integrator’s Role
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Equipment Sales, Procurement and Installation per Specs
When Do I Need A Consultant
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A consultant is typically used under the following conditions:
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Additional Subject Mater Expertise is Required
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An Independent or Non-Bias Opinion is Desired
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The effort is too labor intensive for a collateral duty
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Outside your area of expertise
The Security Consultants job is to:
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Provide his/her clients with current Best Practices in the industry
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Support Policy and Procedure Development
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Support Security Audits & Vulnerability Assessments
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Provide technology analysis and recommendation via spec development
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Provide project management support throughout the construction and/or installation phase
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Perform system validation and verification during commissioning
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(MAKE THE CLIENT LOOK GOOD !!!)
Area of Expertise
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Security Consultants generally practice these
areas of expertise:
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Workplace Violence
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Emergency & Disaster Planning
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Security Management
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Physical and Electronic Security
(i.e. CCTV, ACS, IDS, etc.)
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Cyber and Information Security
(INFOSEC)
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Expert Witness
(i.e. Guard Force, Security Patrol, etc.)
(to support each of the above)
Conclusions
Putting It All Together
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Transitioning from Reactive to Proactive
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Security Standards and Best Practices
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Policy & Procedure Development is always best from a TopDown Approach
Policies & Procedures should change as your facility changes
Security Audits
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Preparedness and Prevention only occurs with planning, training
and exercises
Conduct Annual Security Assessments to identify gaps
Emergency Planning should be re-enforced by training and
annual briefings (i.e. online training, webinars, etc.)
The Security Architect & Consultant
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Select a consultant with expertise in areas required to cover
security gaps
Questions & Discussions
Presented By:
Harold C. Gillens, PSP, CFC, CHS-III
President / CEO
Quintech Security Consultants, Inc.
102 Sangaree Park Court
Suite 4
Summerville, SC 29483
v: 843.695.0170 c: 843.364.0169
www.quintechengineering.com
hgillens@quintechengineering.com