Lanyards vs. Uniforms vs. Plain Clothes

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Jim McConnell  |  info@askmcconnell.com  |  askmcconnell.com

Lanyards vs. Uniforms vs. Plain Clothes

Updated: 14 May 2026

One person’s perspective — weigh it against your law, insurance, culture, and context.

Note: This is a separate question from what your team is called (see Security vs. Safety Team), whether they are armed (see Armed vs. Unarmed), or what their function is.

How your team is identified — or not identified — communicates something to every person in the room. There is no universally correct answer. The right choice depends on your organizational culture, your threat environment, and what you are trying to accomplish. What matters most is that the decision is intentional and documented.

Lanyards / Lapel

Pros

  • Low cost — easy to implement and scale, especially for volunteers.
  • Less intimidating — works well in hospitality-focused or worship environments.
  • Easy to add or remove for different contexts (Sunday service vs. weekday youth night).
  • Team members remain approachable — attendees are more likely to come to them.

Cons

  • Easy to miss — a first-time visitor may not identify your team member in an emergency.
  • Can look informal or low-commitment — may not convey the seriousness of the role.
  • Provides minimal deterrent effect.
  • Harder to integrate with law enforcement and first responders.

Also Consider

  • Have you tested whether a first-time visitor can identify your team?
  • Consider color-coded lanyards for different roles: safety, security, medical, children’s ministry.
  • High-visibility lanyards at night or in low-light events make a significant difference.
  • Consider a DSM Sash type of identification during an incident.

Uniforms

Pros

  • Immediately visible — attendees know exactly who to approach in an emergency.
  • Professional deterrent effect — visible presence discourages certain behaviors.
  • Consistent appearance builds organizational identity and sets a conduct standard.
  • Easier for team members to identify each other across a crowded room.
  • Easier for law enforcement and first responders to expect and work with.

Cons

  • Can feel institutional or intimidating in certain ministry or organizational cultures.
  • Higher cost — uniforms must be purchased, maintained, and replaced over time.
  • Creates a visible target: someone who wants to avoid or confront security knows who to look for.

Also Consider

  • Does the uniform match the tone you want to set? A tactical vest at Christmas Eve communicates something very different than a polo shirt.
  • Does your team look like they belong in your environment, or like they were imported?

Plain Clothes

Pros

  • Covert — does not advertise security presence to the room.
  • Allows team members to observe without being avoided or accommodated.
  • Works well in environments where visible security conflicts with culture or brand.
  • A bad actor cannot easily identify and avoid — or target — your security team.

Cons

  • Attendees cannot identify who to approach when they need help.
  • Team members may be mistaken for general attendees — by each other and by outsiders.
  • Requires a clear internal identification plan: earpieces, a challenge word, or a team app.
  • Higher coordination burden — works best with experienced, well-drilled teams.
  • Harder to integrate with law enforcement and first responders.

Also Consider

  • If plain clothes is your choice, how does your team identify each other across the room?
  • What is the protocol when an attendee needs help and cannot identify who to ask?
  • Plain clothes works best as a complement to uniformed or lanyard-identified team members, not as the sole identification strategy.
  • Consider a DSM Sash type of identification during an incident.

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