does size matter..?

[bow6385]

in hostile environments you don't need to be big to bring your weapon to bear.....

[psdtraining]

Handbags....... 6 foot 2 between the eyes, with a tendancy to be black, graduated from the Bodyguard School of Burger King, they are there to put people off coming close, but a professional CPO/PPO is there to protect the clients person, their business possibly, their well being and their image........ Britney, Superstars and the likes of such, use the "big bodyguard" just as they would a handbag, to be picked up and thrown away as often as their bottles of "Mineral Water".

Big isnt always best, it depends how you use it........... (light hearted banter)

[lbmcr]

thank god for that... nice 1 psdtraining....
Lee

[S.Hopkins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by psdtraining Handbags....... 6 foot 2 between the eyes, with a tendancy to be black, graduated from the Bodyguard School of Burger King, they are there to put people off coming close

A little amusing story....

I was on a job in NY and ended up on a set in Times Square where Puff Daddy (that was still his name back then) was shooting something. For whatever reason, he had a small battalion of the above although a good few of them were 5'5 tall & 5'5 wide!

Naturally within minutes there were thousands of people binging the pavements to a halt to watch what was going on.

After the shoot PD decides he will go for an impromptu walk and meet the onlookers.

We were in the middle of Times Square and as a precaution the set was surrounded by 4 foot high metal barriers. When PD decided he would do his walk he caught most of his security army off guard and by the time he was in the middle of the road most of his team were still rushing to get to his side to give him the "protection" he so clearly needed.

It was then, when one of his 5 foot square guys decided he was light and agile enough to vault one of these barriers...

The next thing we hear is a huge crash as four barriers and a 22 stone bloke came crashing to the ground! It would seem that this guy wasn't able to clear the barrier with his feet leaving him ROLLING in the road and the barrier line looking worse for wear. PD stops in the road and asks if he's ok, another security guy comes over to help him up (he did need it!) and in 1 second the crowd went from shock to laughing.

Now I would like to point out that I had nothing to do with PD and the above team.

And one final point - You only ever have to do one stupid thing and it will haunt you forever...your teammates will make sure of that!

[andynorris]

come on guys!!!!! what a discussion..!! 1st appearance...!!! doesn't matter the size - Jesus..!! everybody can present themselves. i'm just glad i'm handsome as well as skilled...lol

[Rich H]

Appearance and size is everything in CP but mainly with an emphasis towards the premium jobs. Most of these jobs in the world, (Forbes top 50), are very much affected by the size of the team members. Not big - but to be Mr Average. These jobs require that the team blend in to the background. The hulk of a man, (either with muscles on top of muscles - or fat on top of fat), with shades and a shaven head is an image consistent with most when one mentions the term Bodyguard. This individual can still be seen today in a security protective role but is aligned with ‘pop-stars’ and celebrities as opposed to Politicians, Royalty or Clients involved in world business affairs. Threat assessment and risk mitigation are not the topics of discussion here. They are Minders. They are a status symbol and they are there as a matter for image purpose as well as to create a path through screaming hordes of fans, with which they, for the most part, do an excellent job.

The appearance of a 5 man team on the street in certain circumstances can be detrimental to the image of the Boss. Blending in with the use of low profile protection techniques therefore are valuable and can utilise flexible tactics in the extreme. Reasons could be due to the direct request of the Principal, the advice of the CPTL or reasons influenced by operational factors that otherwise the presence of security could be embarrassing for the Principal or injurious to his business meetings and/ or social gatherings. Low profile protection with more emphasis towards protective Surveillance can be employed to detect, confirm and counter any surveillance operations against the Principal. Indeed, whether we continue to conduct the protection operation as usual and use a Surveillance Detection team, or use a more ‘visible’ overt BG moving the rest of the team into the covert protective surveillance role, the methods adopted are adapted in relation to the assessed or perceived threat or any direct threat action received. One can therefore accept that the training and experience of the team players involved must be of an exceptional high standard if results are to be gained, Principal embarrassment is not caused and the protection afforded is not affected.

Size does matter and in the environment I work it is more important to blend in.

[andynorris]

Rich...

100% mate. I just couldn't believe the beginning of the topic.

Andy.

[Hawk]

Ive been told its only in one place size really matters and thats in bed guys!
Thank good Im a lucky one.
Brains is always the most important tool, be able to communicate and to train and work youre way up for experience that does matter.
hawk

[Lockdown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson many businses clients dont want a big person to scare away the people they work and do business with or need a woman to protect a female to blend in ,however some roles, such as crowd control may require a large menacing looking guy, others may require high risk weapons trained, in the end of the day of if you have had the right trainging and experience this is what will realy count.

This is spot on. When asking the question does size matter the answer depends on the job.

I did the hiring for security for several big executive and entertainment clients. There are times where the clients needed big guys to handle large crowds. Nothing keeps random hands away from a guy like a 6' 6" 350lb security guy. In those cases they are hiring more of a human barricade.

In other cases they need guys who 'fit in' with their surroundings so a normal sized guy is warranted. For example, awards cerimonies like The Grammys or maybe at conventions like Comdex are places where the general public isn't, and they are mostly filled with peers, but 'the bad guys' still want to get to them. In those cases a low key security team that can go somewhat unnoticed is the best.

Also, let me add that after hiring well over 100 guys in the past 20 years, it's the average sized guys that are the best at the job. I think most experienced potential employers know this.

[Kez 9]

Just read the question posted. I'm currently working for a prominant Arabic family, and have heard the conversation between client and CP team leader regarding taking on a new team member. The 'Boss' did not want a 'small' cpo on his team. This was because of image rather than quals or performance. If you looked the part then that seemed to be more important than your credentials.