SIDNEY — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will be offering PARATUS training to members of local churchs.

According to a press release from Sheriff John Lenhart, since 1999, there have been 18 active shooter situations in churches across the United States. It has become vital in the past few years that we have to protect ourselves even in times of worship. The past church shooting has brought this topic to the forefront, when a retired FBI agent saved many in his place of worship. Had it not been for the fact he was carrying a concealed weapon, many more, than what did, would have perished at the hands of the active shooter.

“We have received many calls from local churches asking if there was anything, we could do to help local congregations,” said Lenhart. “With this in mind, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will prepare to offer the same training as what we offer in many of our school districts. We will offer to train any members of a church in our PARATUS training.”

PARATUS is a 16-hour course that will train a subject in weapons handling and shooting, which will qualify them to obtain their CCW. The training will include advance-shooting techniques, 8-hour classroom, and 8 hours of range time. The classroom portion will also include tactics, gunshot first aid and legal requirements.

“We will also help a congregation prepare a readiness evaluation, training, and drills, and develop policies and procedures. After the training, we will continue to support with range time, training of new members and preparing security evaluations,” said Lenhart.

“If any congregation is interested, please contact Chief Deputy Jim Frye at 937-494-2117. Once we have enough participation we will schedule the dates and times for the classes,” he said.