Bradley County adjusts church deputy plan

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Sheriff Tim Gobble and Bradley County Attorney Joe Byrd said Tuesday they have worked through concerns about deputizing volunteer church members for security at services.

There were two areas of concern, they said. One was to include nonprofit organizations other than churches that wish to take part. The other was county liability.

Mr. Byrd will draft a form that organizations and individuals taking part will sign acknowledging their liability. Mr. Byrd also suggested organizations check with their insurance providers before they get bonds for the volunteers.

Mr. Gobble said the program will not begin until after Jan. 1. The training must be within the same calendar year as the appointment, he said.

“Training is fairly stringent, and it involves a significant time commitment,” the sheriff said.

Asked about community response so far, Sheriff Gobble said, “A number of applications have been picked up and a couple of them have been turned in.”

Mr. Gobble said his department had researched the idea before it was made public after a fatal church shooting in Knoxville.

“We realize this is not for everybody,” Mr. Gobble said. “Some churches have hired security or have members who are there off duty. And some may say no.”

Two weeks ago County Commissioner Jeff Yarber and others raised questions about liability to the county.

After researching the question, Mr. Byrd requiring organizations to sign a waiver “will put them on notice that they have the liability.”

Federal law does not allow a waiver, but the sheriff’s department may require participants to indemnify the county, he said.