CP, EP, PSD or SOF

celticbodyguard · 09-09-2008, 02:53 AM

....or worse still - "Muscles" the Bodyguard. View this on U-Tube if you haven't seen it yet. It is hilarious until you realise that he's serious. Then it becomes embarrassing.

mickblack · 09-09-2008, 09:17 PM

prefer Clint Eastwood myself

goodspy · 23-09-2008, 12:32 AM

ha.... thanks for that Morrigan

goodspy · 23-09-2008, 05:21 AM

Does anyone know of any good books on CP? More informative?

DarkHorse · 23-09-2008, 05:47 AM

Hi mate,

try " The modern Bodyguard" , " A complete guide to Close Protection industry"

Google it and you will find it on Amazon

Hope it helps

DH

Sack105784 · 23-09-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmaccauley

Do you all enjoy acronyms as much as I do? Alright, I’m fibbing about that. Although I understand that often, in the interest of brevity, they are necessary, but we need a glossary and that tends to defeat the purpose. Anyway, this article is about the Personal Protection field.
For simplicity, let’s have a laymans definition for these three acronyms.
CP is generic for Close Protection
EP stands for Executive Protection.
PPS is a Personal Protection Specialist
SOF is a Soldier of Fortune

In my opinion, they are not interchangeable, nor should they be confused with each other. The difference can be defined by the training, perception or mission of each. The level of professionalism in any field is usually predicated on core principles of business, but we often see perception leading the discussion of these groups.

Dominating the world of Professional Security Operators (PSO) are training and service providers who, more often than not, are staffed by former or current military and law enforcement professionals. These operators are often seen in the standard uniform of Tactical vest, dark sunglasses, coiled wire for ear comms protruding from the ear, an assault rifle equipped with all of the optics and accessories that the guy can handle, and the ever present scowl. These are very serious operators who have a very serious mission. They are paid top dollar to do extremely dangerous work in very unforgiving locations. That being the case, I tip my hat to them and wish them well in their area of operation (AO).

Unfortunately, this same image is sometimes superimposed on the domestic Executive Protection Agent (EP) or Personal Protective Service provider (PPS). These guys may or may not have had military endoctrination or spent years fighting street crime. They may have attended an elite training facility or moved up from the ranks of night watchman. They also may be employed by a company to provide a wide assortment of services, from driving, running errands for the boss or, accompany the employer on business and social engagements to provide “bodyguard” (BG) services.

Acronyms aside, all of these agents and officers are expected to be able to provide a level of service comparable to their salary. Unfortunately, there are few standards when it comes to setting a pay scale for these folks. It often becomes the job of the agent to sell him/herself by offering the most value they can. Which often means reevaluating their skills and seeking additional training and education.

Whether you are, or wish to become a CPO, a PPS, an EP, a BG, you must remember that perception is often reality in the eyes of the public and especially the employer. You have all heard of the recommendation to dress for the job you want. I submit that you can also create the perception that your title is based on the job you are best equipped to perform. The reality is that we are all SOF’s (soldiers of fortune) when competing for employment in these areas. Our fortunes depend on gaining the trust and respect of those we protect, as well as the field we represent.

Keep your acronyms straight and market your worth realistically.

Firstly Hi to all. I am a new member. I hope this reply finds you all in good health and happy in your respective employs.

I agree with all the posts in answer to the post by "Block 30 Janitor" I am not qualified in the Security Industry as yet but I am a VietNam veteran and have seen combat and as far as I am concerned unless you've been there and experienced it you can only prepare your people by using YOUR experiences and hope they don't have to go through any situation which as a result, may see them wounded or worse. I've listened to a few blokes bullshit on about certain ops they were on but they forget, there were other blokes involved as well! I, personally subscribe to the idea of keepin your eyes and ears wide open and ya mouth shut! As far as I am concerned your gonna get "Cowboys" were ever ya work, I just switch off and keep it in the back of my mind (For future Ref). Anyhow all the best and I hope all of you keep safe. Kind Regards, Alan.

Sack105784 · 23-09-2008, 07:17 AM

G'day again,
Have anyone of you fine gentlemen and ladies got any advice as to the best or should I say more widely accepted training facilities around the globe? We all know about and listen to the "Bush Telegraph" and word soon gets out about this kind of thing, so if anyone could steer me in the right direction I would be most appreciative. Just a qick note regarding my previous post, I've looked after Politicians including our illustrious former Prime Minister, the "bloke who looks like he's just dropped out of the trees" so I understand just a little about CP or whichever job your undertaking, but at the end of the day it is simply dangerous work. There are a lot of "Nuts" out there with their own agendas so to you blokes doing the PSDs in hostile areas- the best, indeed to all Security people all the best. Thanks, look forward to hearing from you, Alan.

jmaccauley · 01:37 PM

Welcome to the site Alan. As you know, there are as many answers to that question as there are companies and former student. Truth be told, many are fine and offer a good foundation for certain aspects of the industry. With your former experiences you probably understand the basics of advance work and countersurveillance, command post ops and team dynamics. What you most likely need in a school is modern methods of working with teams (usually available agents from who-knows-where) and being able to speak the same language (literally and figuritively). Movement, formations embuss, debuss are usually taught the same, but a good quality school will emphasize the ability to be flexible and flow with the constant change in the detail.

Look for a training program that has adapted over the years to this changing environment. One that is liability conscious and gives you the tools to help you grow in this business. There are many schools that want your tuition then keep a leash on you, lest you become a future "competitor." Your school should prepare you with methods of marketing yourself as well as finding details. They should also offer continuing professional education, which may mean that they must bring in outside contractors to update their own training. That is a difficult thing for most established schools who might tend to rest on their past reputation.

Best advice is to talk to the graduates and see if they can honestly evaluate their schools. Most former students are loyal, but if you press them hard enough, you'll see the pros and cons of each. Good hunting!

Jerry

Sack105784 · 24-09-2008, 08:46 AM

Hi, Thanks for those words of wisdom. After very careful consideration and deliberation I wish to say this: I don't live in your Country for one thing. Secondly, in Australia there IS the need for ALL of the types of employment that you mentioned but as usual it takes something terrible eg 9/11 to create this employment and level of expertise in my own country. As I understand it and please correct me if I have misinterprated the advice you have given, that I need to get in contact with graduates of every known school which engages in CP,PSD and all the other elements of "The protection of persons"? Where do I start? Which school, Institution or all organisations that claim to be able to train a potential students not only the disciplines of the job but also to present themselves in the most appropriate way to gain the position? As I said unfortunately I happen to live in a country that gives "Lip Service" to (1) Anti Terrorist ops (2) Counter Terrorist ops (3) Protective Duties of all kinds, so I am supposed to locate these graduates, thousands of miles away, in a country that I don't know very well? If I asked the question that I have asked here in this forum where, might I add,there are members that are ACTUALLY working as Bodyguards, to each and every Institution which claim this and claim that, each AND every one of those institutions would give me the same answer - "Ofcourse our training is up to date and we will teach you the up to date methods and train you so you can compete with other graduates!" One has only have to "Google" "Bodyguard" vacancies + "GetBodyguards.Net" and then read all the speels! I am prepared to move to and even become a citizen of your country in order to pursue a career in the Security Industry BECAUSE I CARE about what happened in the many terrible things that has happened to YOU "Folks" (The Oklahoma Bombing, WTC 1+2+7, USS Coal, (I hope I spelt that correctly?) Jerry, I was the first person employed by ALCOA here in Portland and the job I applied for was as a Security Officer. Alcoa trained me to THEIR standards and yes I was happy and willing to undertake the training BECAUSE I was given ACCURATE info ON PAPER with a GUARANTEE that the training was up to date with current standards. I was not only trained in Security, I, and subsequently others that were employed in the same AORs were also trained to the same exacting standards as our own Paramedics, also Firefighting, we undertook a 4 week intensive course at the State's only professional full time Fire Fighting Training facility, a place called "Fiskville" CFA academy. I and others undertook this training because it was a condition of our contract with Alcoa but also we were there, we were able to see what the syllibus contained AND we were able to access the "G*censored**censored**censored**censored*vine or Bush Telegraph"! Now, having said that, there is a saying, which you almost said but didn't, and that is "Its NOT WHAT you know but WHO you know". Unfortunately thats how the world of employment works in the more specialised fields, you know and so do I! The main reason for my joining this forum was one, to meet and hopefuly make a few friends, share a few laughs and ask a few questions. Just like any other forum but when I ask a simple question that any one of you"Folks" could have answered, those that are working in the "Industry" at present anyway, quite easily without all the pre-amble about what it's really all about. I think well, Am I gettin this the wrong way or what? I am a professional in what I do and what I have done, I am well read however, and this is a well known fact in the CP area plus all of the details across the spectrum of the Protection Industry and it gets down to: "Well if I give this bloke the info he needs in order to get into the industry and get some pieces of paper which, may give him an opportunity to do some good for somebody, and believe me when I say this, the threat is not against Australia mate, it's against your people. That has already been well established over the past decades. I reiterate, My wife and I are prepared to apply for American Citizenship in order that I will be able to help, if I can! What do I get in return after asking for some advice as to the best school to gain those bits of paper - "My best advice is to talk to some graduates" Mate I am a straight shooter I don't take any backward steps and personally, my interpretation of your reply to my question, in essence, sounded and read like many a lecture I have had whilst obtaining my Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in psychology! I need some advice not a lecture. I am beginning to think that there may be some truth regarding what others have said, in my presence, "The Yanks think they know it all" Well, I know better, I don't agree with that petty jealous stuff. I personally have great admiration for every American, Black and white makes no difference to me. Your country has sustained so many acts and unwarrented at that, of aggression in causing the deaths of so many very fine human beings. I think youve got the message. I won't bother asking for any more assistance on this forum as I think it will be a futile exercise. I will leave you with this: "I may not agree with what position you take on any matter but I will fight like hell for your right to adopt it! Regards AB 1745Hrs 24/09/08.

jmaccauley · 12:23 PM

I can see the frustration your experiencing about this whole industry. As I said, you have the background and foundation to go far in this industry. That being said, you did ask some very specific questions, although I won't pretend to have the answers to all of them, I will try to address a few.

I have spent 28 years as a police officer/firefighter. I have been a SWAT team member and leader, spent some time on our EOD squad,Hostage Negotiator and for the last 3 years, I have been assigned as a full time trainer for both in-service and Academy students. I train in high liability areas including firearms, arrest and control tactics, defensive tactics, and first responder (first aid). Sounds like a well rounded background, right? In 1990, I attended my first Executive Protection training class and discovered, low and behold, I didn't know squat about Close Protection. Whether or not that was the best school or not, I couldn't say (although it had and still has, a fantastic world wide reputation as one of the best). These days, there are many schools claiming to be the best and offering to certify and prepare you for specific fields.

Since 9/11/01, everyone who has had some (any) military experience suddenly wanted to jump into the fray and hopefully survive to make the big bucks. That money faucet is being turned down greatly, but there is still work out there. However, just as wearing a badge and gun doesn't prepare me to accompany a CEO to a high powered meeting or corporate outing, dodging IED's and ME snipers doesn't guarantee me a position as a protector in the civilian market.

My long winded point is what you referred to as "networking and working the bush," I believe you said. That is why asking these questions is so valuable.

I work as a training director for a security training firm that indeed provides executive protection specialists, not just trains them. This is an evolving field and like most careers, needs continuing education. Reading about it and putting into a curriculum doesn't cut it.

So, I'm not sure what advice you asked for and didn't receive, but we have tried to present our points of view. That's all we can do. If you want the best school that will provide the best credentials and certificates, you will get many answers, but the truth is that your final decision has to based on your goals. I've attended 3 different "basic" schools and learned a little from each one, but not everything. I learned more the first time I worked a long, lonely detail out of my jurisdiction with no backup and a client who drove me nuts. Only then was I able to go home, regroup and try to put my training into perspective.

I can't teach you how I do it, I can only teach you to recognize how you can do it.

Jerry

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CP, EP, PSD or SOF

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