Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA

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Webinar on Security in Houses of Worship

Brian Flatgard

The Office of the Bishop has organized an online presentation from the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office on security in houses of worship. Tuesday, 5/10/2022, 5-6:30pm MST/PDT, 6-7:30pm MDT. Click here to register.

Violence and criminal acts are a threat to all faith-based communities from persons who seek to spread fear and hate crimes, or the unexpected site of acts of domestic violence. The Grand Canyon Synod recognizes the importance of education and raising awareness of potential threats to religious facilities, or the groups who may use these buildings regardless of type or denomination.

The Phoenix Police Department, in partnership with the FBI Phoenix Field Office, will present a virtual faith-based online seminar to share resources and provide training that can be shared with your congregation to increase your awareness in the need to discuss security and safety for yourself and others. Detective Bradley Calender with the Phoenix Police Department and FBI Special Agent Dan Johnson will present.

After the presentation, a list of additional resources will be available through the Grand Canyon Synod Office. We will obtain information for State Law Enforcement resources for congregations located in Utah and Nevada.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants will be muted. Questions may be submitted to the speakers by the "chat" function and will be read online by the moderator.

Questions:  Call Theresa Thornburgh at the Grand Canyon Synod (602) 957-3223 or by email at office@gcsynod.org.

Presenters

Special Agent Dan Johnson of the FBI - Phoenix Field Office
Dan Johnson is a special agent in the FBI assigned to investigate criminal civil rights violations throughout Arizona. Over the last eight years in Arizona Dan’s investigations have included hate crimes, color of law violations, FACE act violations, and international human rights violations.

Detective Brad Calender of the Phoenix Police Department's Homeland Defense Bureau
Detective Brad Calender is a 16-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. Formerly working in the Patrol Division for six years, he now works as a Detective for the Homeland Defense Bureau assigned to the Threat Mitigation Unit. There, he serves as a Subject Matter Expert in Critical Infrastructure assessments and hardening. Before becoming a police officer, Detective Calender served in the United States Navy for eight years working in the Intelligence field. He then joined the Navy Reserve upon completing his active-duty enlistment and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer before retiring in 2018 after 20 years of service. In addition to his current position, Detective Calender frequently teaches Human Intelligence and Interview and Interrogation methods for the Phoenix Police Department's Intelligence Officer certification program. Detective Calender graduated Summa Cum Laude from American Public University with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and is currently working towards his MBA at Arizona State University. Detective Calender has been awarded numerous times for his outstanding performance in the line of duty in service to his community.

We also share Nevada and Utah's FBI Field Offices, and the respective State Fusion Centers.