How old?

[sunray71]

At what age would you say it be appropriate to step down from doing CP work? And how often do you retrain yourselves?( not aimed at Psd as such)

[SH4DOW]

Training is a way of life... a professional will 'make time' to familiarize with new / changing techniques and theories.... it stops when you retire.

Retirement - whenever you can afford to, eh?

[hippy]

No simple answer to the first part of the question. We are all dffferent carrying differing injuries and issues, so the appropiate retirement age for one will differ from anothers. I, whilst not retired, spend very little time with the protectees.. I mostly manage the lads and provide the assesments and taskings. So am I in a CP role? Oh.. I bin the ones who dont make the grade as well. I only go 'out & about' when the big cheese insists.

As for training.. Is it not part and parcel of life? You should be training whenever possible. I would consider study to be part of training as well....

[baghdadbg]

We all think as we get older that we can still walk the walk as we did in our youthfull days. The truth is we can but at a much more deliberate, mature, educated, and exspierienced pace.

[sunray71]

educated, and exspierienced. Are these meant to be in the same sentence?

[baghdadbg]

i dont see your mind thought why not in the same sentance

[AVL]

How Old??

What we need and must remember that there is a need for experience. I work with many clients who favour maturity as psychologically the clients feel comfortable. However, that being said there is a platform for all ages/gender, but it is important to retrain the brain!!!

We all learn new techniques from others and due to legislation whether we like it or not there has been more development with educational programmes - diplomas/degrees to enhance learning for security professionals. So whilst you may think it is time to step down from 'front line' the experience and skills learned often enhance other roles.

Anjee

[80085]

Learning/training I dont think you ever stop in this industry, its on going. Realistically a refresher in line with licence renewal, if not more frequently.
Retirement, it depends on the person and what they are physically and mentally capable of.

[nozzer]

1. 87
2. Every 10 years

[frankfarmer]

These were the responses to this question from a survey I am currently writing up as part of a my continuous personal education process:


Age:

Do you think age has an effect on the ability to provide Close Protection? Percentage of respondents:
No 38 Yes 62

Start Age:
Number of respondents selecting each age group:
18-20: 4
21-23: 10
24-26:
26-28: 9
27:30


End Age:
Number of respondents selecting each age group:
50-52: 5
53-55: 4
56-58: 10
59-61: 2
62-65: 2


There IS a place for all ages - Rmp are often criticised because they recruit young but are also praised because they produce good operators. How old were the CPOs who protected President Clinton’s daughter (Chelsea) whilst she went to school? How old was the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s BG just before she died. Different job, different age.

Training:

How do you keep up to date with the industry ‘best-practice’ or changes to recognized procedures or working practices?
Word of Mouth 48
Industry Magazine 16
E-Newsletter 12
Academic Study 5
Conferences 5
CPD Training 12


My personal thoughts on training and education echo those of Little Devil, Sh4dow and Hippy; we never stop learning.

Regards

Frank