The Watchman’s Academy is a security consultant and training service. The idea came to Steve Padin after his office at the Buffalo Police Department was contacted by a local church regarding some security concerns they had.  After walking through the church building and giving them an assessment, he realized the need for churches and other places of worship to better their security efforts.  So he acquired information and recourses from around the country, added his own expertise, and put together a program.  This lecture is designed to help places of worship organize security teams using just the membership of the body.  For those places that already have teams, it is designed to help them raise their operation to the next level.  He emphasizes that security in places of worship must be looked at as a ministry, not some law enforcement or military detail.  Security personnel must be spiritually mature, not just physically and emotionally fit.  They must be able to act with sound judgment utilizing compassion, humility, but at the same time, respond like soldiers if the membership is threatened with bodily harm.  Security in places of worship needs to operate in such a way that the average attendee never knows there’s security in operation.  Security work brings distractions.  People need to worship without those kinds of distractions.  Those are just some of the points Steve covers.

Is The Watchman’s Academy a place where people come to train?  We prefer to come to you, wherever you are in the country.  This way by working with your team exclusively the training can be tailor made to suit your building and location and your particular team.  However, there are other options.  You can find out if a church in your area is hosting a seminar where they are inviting other area church security representatives to attend or, your church can host one.  But if you wish to travel to the western New York area at a particular time when there are no seminars scheduled, we have a church building where we can accommodate you.

As a firearms instructor certified by New York State and the N.R.A., Steve offers training in firearms safety and use as it pertains to home and personal protection as well as church security.  We also offer training in hand to hand tactics.  If a person enters the service intent on causing harm, he or she needs to be stopped and controlled immediately and effectively.  Even if the person is armed with a weapon, such as a knife or firearm, and security is unarmed, we cover disarming techniques that can minimize casualties.  At a church shooting outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a shooter shot 22 bullets in just under a minute, reloading in the process. Six people were killed, four were wounded.  Nobody tried to stop or disarm him.  That should never happen again.

So whether it’s major incidents or minor incidents, The Watchman’s Academy will help you prepare to deal with your security issues.

The Watchman’s Academy is run by Steven Padin, a retired 25 year decorated police veteran for the Buffalo, NY Police Department.  After 20 years working “the streets,” his last assignment was in the firearms division where he not only trained Buffalo’s officers in the use of firearms and combat tactics, but also assisted in the training of officers throughout Erie County at the central police academy.  Shortly after retiring from the Buffalo P.D., he was hired as the lead firearms instructor for the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy where he oversees the firearms training for police recruits for every police department in the county.  He also trains and certifies each police department’s new firearms instructors.  A former black belt instructor and international competitor in Tae Kwon-Do, he is also tactics instructor to the Buffalo Public School’s security staff.  He is trained and certified as an instructor to instructors by the Department of Homeland Security and Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training Academy of Counter-Terrorism in Law Enforcement Active Shooter Response.  Steve also trains police and military personnel in different countries.  Recently, Guru Maul Mornie, himself a world renowned trainer of police, military units, and elite martial artists, on his Bruneian web site added Steve’s name to a list of “world class” tactics instructors.

Steve and his wife, Ivette, have been married for 28 years and have 2 adult children, Steven & Jackie.  They also have Suki, their West Highland White Terrier. 

So if your school or school district ‘s security staff is in need of training specifically tailored for their position, The Watchman’s Academy can fill that need.

"Our pastoral staff appreciates all the expertise Steve has brought to the table, but most important to us, we appreciate his heart for ministry.  His presentation gave us a great framework to discuss and plan for security in our church.  We plan on using this presentation to train our security officers in the future.  Steve has been a great resource for us not only with his presentation, but also with his consultation, and personal service to our church.  We would recommend this ministry to any church and pastor." 

Josh Hamlin
Associate Pastor
New Covenant Tabernacle
Assembly of God 
Tonawanda, NY


"Steve Padin’s church security presentation was phenomenal! He was able to provide concise, relevant and crucial information to help ensure a safe environment for all church leaders, administrators, and attendees. It was very evident that Steve’s heart and ministry is focused on loving and serving Jesus Christ and others. This is a must for all churches!"

Jeff Camp
Deacon, Head Usher
Kenmore Alliance Chuch


A letter to Steve following the lecture
Thanks for a fantastic seminar last week. Many of our men talked to me that evening and on Sunday. Their experience was overwhelmingly positive. They mentioned a number of things they learned and were truly excited about implementing some new procedures at Northridge. Steve, your heart for Christ and your concern for God’s kingdom was evident in your presentation. Thanks for taking time out of your life to assist us.

Dave Boehm,
Pastor of Care & Facilities Manager
Northridge Church, Rochester, NY