Close Protection Officers

[alltaken]

Thanks James,

im sure ultimately we all want the best and to ensure everyone has the best training and also an understanding of what they are starting up in. Im sure most soldiers see CP operators whilst on tour and think its the life for them, well the money for them, when actually they dont really appreciate what they are letting themselves in for.

Its good to read that you are doing something about improving the overall package, im sure it can only help.

Regards

alltaken

[alltaken]

Bany,

keep the faith. Make sure you are forwarding your CV to different companies, especially the big ones with big contracts and where possible after a few days telephone the company HR dept. That way they know you are keen and sometimes a little personal conversation helps a great deal. It doesnt always work but to get a foot in the door its worth the effort.

Good hunting

alltaken

[a5955]

James

Great post, to be honest Training needs a major shake up, price will always be an issue however if you have decided on this line of career then you should expect to pay out for it, for example I myself have easily parted with thousands over the last few years for continuation training yes it pisses you off but at the end of the day as we all know now recruiters get hundreds of applications and you have to beat everyone else.

I think courses should be pass or fail I have seen too many idiots in the industry who have done their course with company XYZ who should never be in the industry. Fitness is another issue there has to be a basic requirement it doesn't just have to be a three mile run etc it should also contain things that u can come across whilst working e.g. using an evac chair to get ur principle down 5 flights of stairs being able to run up five flights of stairs would be good too, have seen CPO's nearly have heart attacks doing this.

I also feel that, for example a course lasts 6 weeks with Company A but theres another course which is 3 weeks and is 2000 pounds cheaper with Company B you have to have enough intelligence to realise which is the better course and what I am missing in those other three weeks.

Medical also has to be addressed I know the Medics on the forum have their own little niche right know but a CPO who can only do CPR is of no use to me and if they are to scared to put a IV into someone or can't stand the sight of blood they are in the wrong industry. A decent meds package 5 days such as the courses Interdive offer is worth its weight in gold.

Driver training is another point you are not driving ur Golf Gti round with all ur mates in ur driving a S-Class mercedes and ur principle wants a smooth ride he also wants someone who is properly trained that if needed can do the business. South Wales Police I believe are the country leaders in driver training they are also looking at doing courses for private people they may have already started.

End of the day I will support any company who want to overhaul and improve training and for those shitty companies who go out of buisness because of it TOUGH SHIT and Goodbye.

A message for the NEWBIES now if you think that paying out say 10 grand or more over the years to be properly trained is a waste of money then ur an IDIOT and are in the wrong industry.

If this post upsets anyone I don't care that again proves ur in the wrong job

WELL DONE JAMES Mc

[bany]

alltaken, cheers for the advise, any more advise or new info will be apprieciated
many thanks
bany

[M4MED]

Gone are the days of us being bullet catchers and glorified sandbags. 95% of it is planning and prevention and the remaining 5% is reaction to attack and never have I trained to stand in front of a bullet. Side step, squat behind cover, run...do whatever you can but stand between the enemy and the client. As someone has already pointed out, a dead BG is as much use as an empty sand bag to the client. Split targets, give the gunman something to think about while you draw and do what you need to do. Train with the client, so he knows to either get down in the direction you encourage him or he runs but don't use body cover. A 7.62 will prob go through you both. Off on a tangent but in line with the interview question.

[yoda]

James, excellent post, good points and hope that you can make a difference. Unfortunately to many people out there that are greedy and just don't care about anything apart from making money.

Can some one also clarify the sia say it should be 150 contact hours for the CP course, i assume (assumption being the mother of all f**k ups) that does not include the first aid!

Cheers

[Rich H]

The 150 hours training as the sia stipulate is solely for the CP trg. The 'first aid' side of things is separate.

A whole one hundred and fifty quality Close protection training hours covering such a wide base of subjects.......what a load of bollocks.

Yoda, if you're looking to doing some training in CP, then please choose a half decent company that will train you above the mediocre core competency standard as suggested by the SIA. To put it in perspective the Rmp course is the best part of 8 weeks.


Rich H

[kenpsd]

James great post mate, worthy and valid points. Good on yer!!

[M4MED]

Rich,

I totally agree, although the Rmp CP course isn't just the CP core competencies, it is in effect;

An indepth and realistic CP course
A CP Driving Course
Comprehensive weapons and tactics course
First aid course

with bags of CQC, physical assessments, scenario based training with simunition and a final exercise that consolidates all roles; IBG, TL, PES, RST, SAP, Vip dvr and tea boy.

If a civvy 150 hour course had these elements added on it would probably be about 8 weeks too.

[yoda]

Hi Rich H,

Sorry mate i was just trying to prove the point about people interested in taking money and not the end product.
Most courses are three weeks long, that includes the first aid course, it reality that makes the course two weeks long.

Regards