Close Protection Officers

[Rich H]

M4MED,

I was just trying to prove a point that the core competencies as stipulated by the sia are in no way good enough to train an individual to perform Close Protection duties in the UK. Of course I fully understand that the Rmp CP course provides training for all low/ high risk environments but the SIA has left subject matters such as driving and unarmed combat, which are relevant to the UK market, to the discretion of the service provider. In other words, they omit it due to cost and competition.

If the SIA had enforced such criteria in the NOS then it would have certainly increase the 150 hours to a more acceptable and realistic training course. They haven't even laid down what should be practical so in effect we have training providers conducting a great deal of training in the classroom when it should be 90%+ practical based.


Rich H

[M4MED]

Rich H,

I agree completely mate. Corners are being cut across the board as training providers try to undercut each other, whether it be in time or cost. We're all guilty of it but we're all suffering the consequences of it on the ground. The problem is where to draw the line. I try to maintain diligent standards to ensure guys walk away competent and confident in everything they do, then other providers claim to do the same in half the time and for half of the money. They are happy. The delegate is happy with his lower cost certificates. But is the average CPO on the ground happy with the product?? We all know the answer but what is the solution???
The problem is not the trainers or the training providers. They are trying to provide the best possible service whilst trying to survive in their sector of the industry.
This is an issue which should be addressed by all of us with the SIA, in order to enforce additional mandatory training.

[yoda]

That's the point that i was trying to make.
How can you teach 150 hrs in two weeks (if you work the weekends), that would be 12 hrs a day.
Totaly agree with the above comments by M4MED.
Hence the reason of quality of the finished product!

Cheers