Security planning ensures joyful ordination

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

The episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect John E. Keehner is less than two weeks away and plans are firmly in place with the assistance of countless individuals serving on various committees and subcommittees.

One such committee handles the event security, which is being coordinated by Mike Hamm, a retired law enforcement officer.

Even though the Solemn Vespers on April 30, Ordination Mass on May 1 and receptions are joyful occasions, he mentioned it’s a good idea to have visible security at this type of high profile event.

“While we do not think of it in any way, shape or form as being a political event, there are people that their entire lives – everything they do – is viewed through the political lens and then there are people who just hate the Catholic Church,” said Hamm, a member of Mater Dei Parish, who served on the Sioux City Police Department for 37 years.

Security for the episcopal events will involve hiring uniformed law enforcement officers – members of the Sioux City Police Department and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Department - to offer a visible presence and to respond to any concerns at the various events surrounding the episcopal ordination. In addition, marked law enforcement vehicles will be present at the location as added visibility. 

Rex Mueller, chief of police who is also a parishioner of Mater Dei Parish in Sioux City, is helping to line up security and is serving as a direct connection to the diocese.

Agreeing with the sentiments of retired Sgt. Hamm, Mueller spoke of the importance of a visible security presence.

“We’re all aware that on occasion there are individuals who, for whatever reason, want to be disruptive at an event, whether it’s religious in nature or not,” said Mueller. “Just having a visible presence hopefully helps deter anyone that would want to be disruptive in a solemn event like this.”

The visible presence, added Hamm, should be helpful in discouraging disruptions that could steal headlines of this joyful “occasion from the church to make it all about their political response” and an attempt to get attention.

He explained it was almost three years ago when Deacon Mark Prosser, diocesan chief of staff and the former police chief of the Storm Lake Police Department, contacted him about coordinating the security team for the episcopal ordination. 

“It was going to be easy enough to do it. I’m familiar with the police department and the sheriff’s office so it wasn’t going to be a hard task,” said Hamm.
He pointed out that when he was first approached about coordinating security for the episcopal ordination, the “temperature” for some type of political event or demonstration to happen was much higher than it is today. 

“But now, the temperature is pretty low,” said Hamm, who said they are not expecting any events. “We don’t anticipate any problems but the last thing we would want to happen is that on this joyous occasion of the ordination … that something would happen.”

Along with the hired uniformed officers at the event, Hamm, Chief Mueller and Deacon Prosser will be on hand. The security coordinator also mentioned there are many Catholics who are members of law enforcement that would willingly step to help – just like at a regular Mass – should the situation require so. 

Ultimately, the police chief said they want it to be a “drama-free event” where all in attendance – the clergy, dignitaries and laity – feel safe and secure.

“Right now, we are going on we believe this will be an incident-free event and it will turn out to be a wonderful event,” said Hamm, who noted they have no information of any planned activities. “But if someone wants to try, we will be ready for it.”

As a Catholic in the diocese, Mueller said he is happy to play a small role in this historic event.