Seminar Title
Response to Critical Court Incidents and Emergency Planning: Court Room and Court House Security
Dates of Events
01/25/2027 through 01/27/2027
Last Updated: 09/06/2026
Instructor(s): Rick Baker
Location: Tarrant County Sheriff's Academy - 1500 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Cityview - 6400 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76132
Course Registration Fee: $350
Instructor Bio
Rick Baker
Rick Baker, Lieutenant (Retired)
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office – Cookeville, Tennessee
Rick Baker retired as a Lieutenant from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Cookeville, Tennessee. During his 27-year law enforcement career, he supervised Corrections, Patrol, Training, and SWAT operations, while also providing specialized training to agencies across the country.
Rick has extensive experience teaching and lecturing for law enforcement professionals, including officers, court clerks, court officers, and elected officials. He has presented at numerous national and state conferences and has been called upon as an expert witness in several court cases.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lee University and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from Columbus University. Rick also maintains numerous instructor, training, and specialized certifications.
Throughout his career, Rick has coordinated training programs including Academy instruction, Instructor Development, Ethics, and Leadership. He previously served as President of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officers Association.
Rick currently serves as the National Training Director for the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute (LLRMI).
Rick Baker, Lieutenant (Retired)
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office – Cookeville, Tennessee
Rick Baker retired as a Lieutenant from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Cookeville, Tennessee. During his 27-year law enforcement career, he supervised Corrections, Patrol, Training, and SWAT operations, while also providing specialized training to agencies across the country.
Rick has extensive experience teaching and lecturing for law enforcement professionals, including officers, court clerks, court officers, and elected officials. He has presented at numerous national and state conferences and has been called upon as an expert witness in several court cases.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lee University and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from Columbus University. Rick also maintains numerous instructor, training, and specialized certifications.
Throughout his career, Rick has coordinated training programs including Academy instruction, Instructor Development, Ethics, and Leadership. He previously served as President of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officers Association.
Rick currently serves as the National Training Director for the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute (LLRMI).
Course Objectives
Course Overview:
Course Overview
Government buildings are persistent targets for disruption and violence, and courthouses are especially vulnerable. They house not only government functions but also the daily operations of the criminal justice system. Judges, defendants, victims, families, attorneys, and county officials all pass through these facilities, creating a high-risk environment.
Incidents have ranged from minor disruptions (like picketing) to serious acts of violence, including assaults and even homicides. Experience alone does not guarantee preparedness. The reality is not if an incident will occur in your courthouse, but when.
Course Objectives
Violent Court Incidents & Case Studies
Analyze past incidents to understand vulnerabilities
Apply lessons learned to local courthouses, grounds, and parking areas
Begin developing a security self-assessment process
Legal Issues of Courtroom/Courthouse Security
Review case law affecting courthouse security operations
Define what officers can and cannot do legally
Apply legal principles in daily and high-risk operations
Overview of Courtroom Security
Profiles of individuals involved in courthouse incidents
Stages of proceedings most prone to disruptions
Daily Operational Concerns
Explore the “Five Elements of Courthouse Security”:
Security personnel
Court tenants
Policies & procedures
Facility security & technology
Coordination & communication
Build a foundation for consistent, reliable security operations.
Prisoner/Defendant Security
Secure transport and movement of in-custody defendants
Effective restraint use and courtroom seating strategies
Communication protocols and search procedures
Juvenile-specific considerations
High-Risk / Critical Situations
Planning for high-profile or high-risk trials
Managing sequestered juries
Preparing for protests or organized disruptions
Risk-mitigation planning and execution
Bomb Threats, Natural Disasters, and Emergencies
Identify potential courthouse emergencies
Develop response plans with little or no warning
Integrate evacuation, shelter, and continuity procedures
Sovereign Citizens
Recognize tactics and behaviors of sovereign citizens
Understand threats ranging from courtroom disruptions to life-threatening violence
Apply officer safety and legal strategies to mitigate risks
Courtroom / Courthouse Survey
Conduct a physical site survey of your own facility
Receive and practice using a sample survey template
Use survey results to justify requests for personnel, technology, or resources
Government buildings are persistent targets for disruption and violence, and courthouses are especially vulnerable. They house not only government functions but also the daily operations of the criminal justice system. Judges, defendants, victims, families, attorneys, and county officials all pass through these facilities, creating a high-risk environment.
Incidents have ranged from minor disruptions (like picketing) to serious acts of violence, including assaults and even homicides. Experience alone does not guarantee preparedness. The reality is not if an incident will occur in your courthouse, but when.
Course Objectives
Violent Court Incidents & Case Studies
Analyze past incidents to understand vulnerabilities
Apply lessons learned to local courthouses, grounds, and parking areas
Begin developing a security self-assessment process
Legal Issues of Courtroom/Courthouse Security
Review case law affecting courthouse security operations
Define what officers can and cannot do legally
Apply legal principles in daily and high-risk operations
Overview of Courtroom Security
Profiles of individuals involved in courthouse incidents
Stages of proceedings most prone to disruptions
Daily Operational Concerns
Explore the “Five Elements of Courthouse Security”:
Security personnel
Court tenants
Policies & procedures
Facility security & technology
Coordination & communication
Build a foundation for consistent, reliable security operations.
Prisoner/Defendant Security
Secure transport and movement of in-custody defendants
Effective restraint use and courtroom seating strategies
Communication protocols and search procedures
Juvenile-specific considerations
High-Risk / Critical Situations
Planning for high-profile or high-risk trials
Managing sequestered juries
Preparing for protests or organized disruptions
Risk-mitigation planning and execution
Bomb Threats, Natural Disasters, and Emergencies
Identify potential courthouse emergencies
Develop response plans with little or no warning
Integrate evacuation, shelter, and continuity procedures
Sovereign Citizens
Recognize tactics and behaviors of sovereign citizens
Understand threats ranging from courtroom disruptions to life-threatening violence
Apply officer safety and legal strategies to mitigate risks
Courtroom / Courthouse Survey
Conduct a physical site survey of your own facility
Receive and practice using a sample survey template
Use survey results to justify requests for personnel, technology, or resources