Introduction to close protection and bodyguarding
As the world becomes more unsafe, it’s not just high-profile celebrities, politicians, and corporate executives seeking personal protection. Here at Titan, we frequently receive enquiries from regular individuals and families looking for close protection services when visiting some of the many cities around the world where becoming a target for theft or assault is an everyday occurrence for visitors and tourists.
In this post, we will explore the difference between close protection and bodyguarding, the evolution of close protection, the diverse and complex responsibilities of close protection specialists, and the main considerations for providing effective executive protection security services. We will also provide a comprehensive overview of the close protection and bodyguarding sector, focusing on the role, training, and expertise needed to operate in this field.
What is close protection and bodyguarding?
Close protection, sometimes referred to as bodyguarding, is the practice of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals at risk. However, there is a distinction between bodyguarding and close protection, which we will explain.
Close Protection vs. Bodyguarding
The fields have evolved significantly over the years, moving from a focus primarily on physical protection (bodyguarding) to a more strategic, comprehensive approach (close protection).
Today, close protection professionals use various techniques to proactively gather intelligence, assess risks, and provide a real-time response to potential threats.
While often used interchangeably, close protection and bodyguarding are distinct aspects of personal security.
Bodyguarding
- Focus: Primarily on the physical protection of an individual (often referred to as the principal).
- Role: Acting as a deterrent to potential threats and being prepared to intervene physically if necessary.
- Key Skills: Requires exceptional physical fitness, hand-to-hand combat, weapon proficiency, and first aid.
Close Protection
- Focus: A comprehensive security strategy that encompasses various measures to protect an individual.
- Role: Involves risk assessment, threat analysis, planning, coordination, and the deployment of security personnel.
- Skills: Combines the physical attributes of a bodyguard with strategic thinking, communication skills, and knowledge of security protocols.
Roles and Responsibilities of Close Protection Officers (CPOs)
Close Protection Officers (CPOs) are highly skilled professionals responsible for ensuring the safety and security of their clients. Their duties extend far beyond the traditional image of a bodyguard.
Core Responsibilities:
- Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, developing security plans, and implementing countermeasures.
- Physical Protection: Providing a visible deterrent, escorting the client, and being prepared to intervene physically if necessary.
- Intelligence Gathering: Collecting information about potential threats and monitoring the environment.
- Travel Security: Planning and executing secure travel arrangements, including transportation and accommodation.
- Event Security: Assessing and securing venues, managing access control, and coordinating with other security personnel.
- Crisis Management: Responding effectively to incidents, protecting the client, and coordinating with emergency services.
Specific Tasks:
- Advanced Driving: Operating vehicles in high-pressure situations, including evasive manoeuvres.
- Surveillance Detection: Identifying and countering surveillance attempts.
- Counter-Surveillance: Conducting surveillance on potential threats.
- First Aid: Providing immediate medical assistance in case of emergencies.
- Communication Skills: Maintaining clear and effective communication with clients, team members, and other involved parties.
- Discretion and Professionalism: Maintaining a low profile and adhering to strict ethical standards.
Types of Close Protection:
- Celebrity Protection: Protecting high-profile celebrities from media intrusion, over-enthusiastic crowds, and potential threats.
- Executive Protection: Safeguarding business leaders and their families.
- Diplomatic Protection: Protecting diplomats, politicians and government officials
The specific duties of a CPO can vary significantly depending on the client’s needs and the level of risk. Here is an example of how key responsibilities change when protecting a high net-worth client as opposed to a corporate executive. While there are differences, both types of executive protection prioritise the safety and security of the client and employ similar strategies and techniques to mitigate risks and respond to threats.
Here are some of the key differences between executive protection for corporate executives and protection for high net-worth individuals and families:
| Category | Corporate Executives | High-Net-worth Individuals/Families |
|---|---|---|
| Threat Assessment | Threats often relate to business, such as disgruntled employees, corporate espionage, or business-related disputes. | Threats are more likely to be personal, such as stalkers, kidnappers, or extortionists targeting the individual or their family members. |
| Scope of Protection | Protection is often focused on business-related activities, such as travel, meetings, and public appearances. | Protection is more comprehensive, covering all aspects of daily life, including residence, travel, and leisure activities. |
| Coordination of security provision | Executive Protection teams often work closely with the company’s security department and follow established corporate protocols. | Protection teams may be privately hired and have less coordination or external input. |
| Privacy Concerns | There may be less emphasis on privacy, as the protection is often more visible and integrated with corporate operations. | Privacy is often a top priority, with protection teams working discreetly and unobtrusively to maintain the client’s privacy and confidentiality. |
| Customisation of Services | Protection services may be more standardised and aligned with corporate policies and procedures. | Protection services are often highly customised and remain adaptable to meet the unique needs and preferences of the individual or family. |
Four Essential Attributes for Close Protection Specialists
Physical Fitness
- Peak physical condition is essential for responding to threats effectively
- Rigorous training regimens focus on building strength, endurance, and agility
- Physical fitness complements situational awareness, communication skills, and critical thinking
Situational Awareness
- Constantly attuned to surroundings, anticipating potential threats, and being prepared to react swiftly
- Assessing situations, identifying suspicious elements, and relating them to client-specific needs
- Maintaining focus and alertness through mental discipline, physical stamina, and stress management
Communication and De-escalation Skills
- Clearly conveying information, instructions, and reassurance to clients, colleagues, and the public
- Active listening and gathering intelligence to anticipate issues and build trust
- De-escalation techniques to defuse confrontations without resorting to force, maintaining professionalism and safety at all times
Discretion and Professionalism
- Maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding clients’ lives, schedules, and personal affairs
- Presenting oneself in a manner that reflects positively on the client
- Building trust through discretion and professionalism
Training and licencing for bodyguards
The requirements for training and licencing bodyguards vary between countries and even within different regions of the same country. It is an offence in most countries around the world to employ unlicensed people as bodyguards.
General Training
Close protection and bodyguard professionals will have training in some or all of the following areas:
- Physical Fitness: This includes strength, endurance, agility, and self-defence techniques.
- Firearms Proficiency: Safe handling, marksmanship, and tactical shooting.
- Close Protection Tactics: Techniques for protecting principals in various environments.
- First Aid and Medical Training: To handle injuries and emergencies.
- Risk Assessment and Threat Analysis: Identifying potential dangers and developing countermeasures.
- Surveillance Detection and Counter-Surveillance: Recognising and evading surveillance.
- Driving Techniques: Defensive driving and evasive manoeuvres.
- Legal and Ethical Standards: Understanding the legal framework, professional conduct, and the rules and restrictions around the use of physical force and firearms.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Useful for building a rapport with clients, liaising with third-party stakeholders, and de-escalating difficult situations.
Licencing Requirements
Many countries require bodyguards to hold specific licences or certifications. Permits are often issued by government departments or industry regulatory bodies and normally involve robust checking and testing proceses
Example: Licencing in the UK
- Security Industry Authority (SIA): Bodyguards in the UK must hold a Close Protection Licence issued by the SIA. This requires passing a rigorous training course and background checks. This is what the UK SIA says about close protection.
“Holders of the Close Protection Licence will be expected to handle high-pressure situations and the threat of assault, while providing security for important individuals, including celebrities, politicians, and sports stars.”
Additional Points to Consider
- Experience: While not always a formal requirement, on-the-job experience is invaluable in the bodyguard profession.
- Continuous Learning: The security industry is constantly evolving, so ongoing training, learning refreshment, and continuous development are important
When can Bodyguards use Physical Force or Firearms?
The decision to intervene physically or use a firearm is a serious one and should only be taken as a last resort. The specific circumstances under which such actions are justified vary significantly by country and even local jurisdiction. However, the general principle is that force can only be used when it is absolutely necessary to protect life or prevent serious injury.
Circumstances for Physical Intervention
Bodyguards may use physical force to:
- Defend the principal: This includes protecting the principal from an imminent threat of physical harm.
- Prevent a crime: If the bodyguard witnesses a crime in progress, they may intervene to apprehend the suspect or prevent further harm.
- Protect themselves: If the bodyguard is under an immediate threat of harm, they may use force to defend themselves.
Circumstances for Using a Firearm
The use of a firearm is an even more serious step and should only be considered when:
- All other options have been exhausted: Physical intervention, verbal commands, and other de-escalation tactics have failed.
- There is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm: The bodyguard reasonably believes that the principal or another person is in immediate danger of being killed or seriously injured.
- The use of force is necessary: The bodyguard has no other reasonable alternative to prevent the harm.
Legal Repurcussions
The legal consequences of using physical force or a firearm should always be taken into consideration. Bodyguards must be able to justify and defend their actions in court. Factors that will be considered include:
- The severity of the threat: The level of danger faced by the principal or the bodyguard.
- The proportionality of the force used: The force used must be reasonable in relation to the level of the threat.
- The legality of the bodyguard’s actions: The bodyguard must operate within the legal framework of the jurisdiction.
These are general guidelines. The specific laws and regulations governing the use of force by bodyguards vary widely from country to country. and even from state to state in the USA. This is why it is so important to ensure this is included as a mandatory training element for close protection specialists.
Common Protocols and Procedures in Executive Protection
Executive Protection (EP) operations are highly specialised and require meticulous planning and execution. Here are some common protocols and procedures used when protecting clients.
Pre-Operational Planning
- Threat Assessment: Identifying potential threats to those being protected,
- Risk Assessment: Evaluating the potential impact of threats and determining mitigation strategies.
- Route Planning: Developing secure routes for travel, including alternative routes.
- Site Surveys: Assessing the security of locations to be visited, including residences, offices, and public venues.
- Intelligence Gathering: Collecting information on potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Operational Procedures
- Close Protection Teams: Assembling a skilled team with diverse skill sets.
- Vehicle Security: Employing armoured vehicles, counter-surveillance measures, and secure driving techniques.
- Communication Protocols: Establishing secure communication channels for the team.
- Surveillance Detection and Counter-Surveillance: Identifying and mitigating surveillance attempts.
- Evacuation and Escape Procedures: Developing and practising emergency evacuation plans.
- Medical Preparedness: Ensuring team members are trained in first aid and emergency medical response.
Post-Operational Procedures
- Report Generation: Documenting the operation for future reference and analysis.
- Debriefing: Reviewing the operation to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
- Intelligence Updates: Incorporating new information into the threat assessment.
Situational Protocols
- Code Words and Signals: Establishing concise methods for discreet and efficient communication.
- Protective Measures: Implementing physical barriers, access control, and surveillance systems.
- Counter-Terrorism Measures: Incorporating anti-terrorism measures into the protection plan hen necessary.
- Media Management: Handling media enquiries and maintaining the client’s privacy.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respecting the cultural environments.
Choosing the right contractor
The role of a bodyguard or close protection officer extends far beyond simply providing physical protection to their clients. They are highly trained professionals who take on a multitude of responsibilities to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals under their care. From meticulous planning and risk assessment to discreet surveillance and swift response, they play a crucial role in the world of personal safety.
For these reasons, you must choose a supplier carefully. Here are some essential things to check:
Licencing and Certification:
- Make sure the security contractor holds valid licences and permits to operate as a security provider in the relevant location.
- Check if the individual close protection officers (CPOs) have the necessary certifications and qualifications
Experience and Reputation:
- Check out the security contractor’s experience in providing close protection services.
- Look for client testimonials, case studies, or references
- Research the company’s reputation within the industry and check for any negative reviews or feedback.
Insurance and Liability Cover:
- Confirm that the security contractor has adequate insurance coverage, including liability insurance, to protect you in case of any incidents or accidents
- Ask about their policies and procedures for handling potential liabilities and legal issues.
Personnel Selection and Training:
- Ask about the security contractor’s process for selecting and vetting their close protection officers.
- Ensure they conduct thorough background checks, including criminal records and employment history.
- Enquire about the ongoing training and professional development programmes they provide to their CPOs.
Operational Procedures and Protocols:
- Discuss the security contractor’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols for close protection assignments.
- Assess their approach to risk assessment, planning, and contingency management.
- Ensure they have clear communication channels and protocols in place for a variety of scenarios.
Technology and Equipment:
- Ask about the technology and equipment the security contractor has access to such as communication devices, GPS tracking, and surveillance tools.
- Ensure they have access to reliable and up-to-date equipment to support their close protection operations.
Wrapping things up
The field of close protection and bodyguarding is complex, dynamic, and ever-evolving. It requires a diverse set of skills, training and experience. As the industry adapts to new technologies and emerging threats, the core principles of dedication, discretion, and professionalism remain a key foundation for the effective delivery of the service.
As a key member of the worldwide Risk Global Management Security Group, Titan Security Europe has been providing close protection and bodyguard services for many years. Check out some of our close protection case studies and feel free to get in touch for advice, guidance and a competitive quote
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