MOORESVILLE — Beginning Friday, the Mooresville Police Department will offer free security training for houses of worship.

The seminars are a continuation of training previously offered by the agency but come just after a gunman killed nine congregants at a church in Charleston, S.C.

“MPD wants to meet the needs and concerns of our community, and prepare and educate our citizens to guard against potential violence,” said a statement on the department’s Facebook page.

You do not have to be a Mooresville resident to attend this training, according to the department’s Facebook page.

Each session lasts one hour, is free of charge and requires no advanced registration. The training is suitable for faith leaders, congregation members, church staff and anyone responsible for safety at their churches, the department said.

The Friday sessions are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the training room at the Mooresville Police Department, 750 W. Iredell Ave.

Upcoming sessions are Tuesday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m.; Friday, July 10 at 2:30 p.m.; Friday, July 17 at 2:30 p.m.; Monday, July 27 at 10 a.m.; and Thursday, July 30 at noon.

All the scheduled sessions will be held at the Mooresville Police Department.

Topics to be covered in the sessions are how to assess safety risks; how to keep children safe; building and monetary security measures; implementing a security team; how to respond to a disruptive or violent person; and how to sign up to receive sex offender notifications.

For more information, contact Officer L. Childers at 704-658-9016 or lchilders@ci.mooresville.nc.us