Close Protection Officers

[James Mc]

Hello Folks,

I'm about to post a thread that will possibly upset quite a few people....i don't give a monkies.

The security industry within the UK is regulated by the sia.....it's here, we can moan, whinge, kick our feet, throw our teddys out the cot.......guess what, it's still here & we still have to abide by their regulations, right or wrong, we have to abide by them.

The training that they say is required for an ENTRY LEVEL CPO is 150 hours & the HSE FAAW, minimum, thats what they say..........in December some of us are going to get together to discuss what we see are the short falls within the training! Ourselves, Morrigans & Preatorian, amongst others (sorry guys, had to name you) have stood up & said

"yeah, we need to improve the standard of the operaters hitting the curcuit"

Guess what, we will get there & potential employers know what we want to do.....financially it makes sense for them to see what we have to offer & are trying to do, when they are trying to sell the product....YOU!!

read the thread people "are we training correctly"

The majority of new people joining the industry seem to have a problem, whether it be with how to introduce themselves to the industry, write a cv, or conduct themselves in an interview. if i'm wrong, i apologise.

People this is an industry that is flooded...you have experienced Psd lads coming back to the UK from overseas & you have experienced corporate CPO's that have years of experience in Europe/ US trying to get the same contracts, you got to sell yourselves guy's!

Guess what, when you are going for a contract, think outside the box & put yourself in the place of potential employers......look at what the job is, do you have the skill set required & more importantly can you do the job!!!! Thats what employers are looking for. If you think you can, go for it & don't be scared to ask questions.

People say that Rst may be crap.....yeah, it might be, but it pays the bills folks, the curcuit in the UK is seasonal.....the season is over, however do the job well & you have done your crediability the world of good.

When people want to do an sia course they seem to be nervous to contact the providers, it's your money folks.....call us!!!!! tell us what you want to do in the industry & we'll guide you in the right direction, for christ sakes it's in our best intrests to direct you to the best providers.....why? becouse it's our industry & we are taking ownership!!! we want good operaters on the curcuit!

Folks there are alot of people out there that will take your money & promise you the world..........it's like your first shag.....you go for it hell for leather, they say you're great & promise you the world......until you try calling them & get no answer & you don't know where to turn, please look at a company that offers after course guidance.

finally, Do not pay recruitment fee's.

remember one thing people, we have joined an industry that requires us to possibly pay the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.......we get no fanfares, we get no guard of honour, we get no medals, we get no mention in the papers when we die..........We MAY get a couple of friends toasting us in a pub before they go their seperate ways, if we're lucky.

That is our world & people need to think long & hard before they try to join it!

James Mc

[Roadhog]

James, good post mate, you've hit the nail on the head and good luck to you and the other training providers who are taking ownership.

I would like to echo your comments in terms of the potential price to pay. I think the point cannot be stressed enough, especially to new CPOs that despite what the sia would tell you- focussing on conflict management etc- that Close Protection can be a violent industry and people can die in the course of their work, even in supposed "safe" countries. A friend of mine, interviewing for a CPO asked a candidate" If it came down to it, would you put yourself in between a principal and gunfire, and would you take a bullet?" The candidates response was not encouraging to say the least.

Clients want bodyguards for many reasons, some want them for show, some to make their lives easier, but then some need bodyguards because they are in danger. If you are not prepared to put yourself at physical risk for a client- including death- then in my opinion you should find another role.

[def]

good post . def

[mts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadhog A friend of mine, interviewing for a CPO asked a candidate" If it came down to it, would you put yourself in between a principal and gunfire, and would you take a bullet?" The candidates response was not encouraging to say the least. C

No offense to you mate, but that's a pretty stupid question for a hiring company to be asking. IMO the only answer to that should be NO. A wounded or dead CPO leaves the Principal to the wolves as it were and cannot do any good. We don't want people with a death wish in the industry.


m

[Primus6715]

Interesting and straight to the point!

[roberto]

mts i second that

[alltaken]

Is this post directed at anyone in particular or is it just a rant? Not having undertaken the sia CP course i am not in a position to question it, however what i will add is that everyone has to start somewhere. Irrespective of your background whatever trade, regiment etc you were once the new guy and learnt your trade from the more experienced colleagues around you. Close Protection is no different. It is not magic or trickery, it is common sense and the willingness to learn.

My concern reading your post is that inexperienced operators, and having newly joined this site i can tell there are a few, will read that and take it as gospel. It is not. Yes we are regulated, and the basic course is 150 hours, but it is just that, its a basic course and as i stated before it is then a case of learning on the job. We should always aspire to better ourselves and the training we receive that is a given but we also need to take into account the parameters in which operate. Time and money being key factors.
I agree that everyone needs to sell themselves as much as they can, but if you are new to this game, then dont get dis-heartened if you havent done 5 tours of Iraq, 3 years in Afghan or done this course or that course etc as not all companies want that sort of experience. New guys are wanted for lots of roles in order to give a team balance. To quote a phrase "Too many Chiefs not enough Indians".
In respect of contacting training organisers, if you phone they will sell you their product and theirs only. They are businesses. not independent advisors and there are numerous training providers all wanting your business. Yes telephone, but do not be suckered in by the fiRst people you call, ring around and ask people you know in the industry as well as reading forums like this and in the end chose one that you feel comfortable with and provides you with the basics you need.
I do agree with the post in the respect of taking the less glamourous jobs, ie RST etc as its a start and it will get you a few contacts and ultimately contacts will get you work and work gets you money which is why people do this work, for the money.

James, you give some valid points in your post and i hope you dont think i am trying to rain on your parade, i just wanted to provide less experienced guys to read a different perspective

alltaken

[Amazon]

Absolutely 110% spot on!

[James Mc]

Hello Alltaken,

Thanks for the response mate & i am a great believer that if you place a thread on a public forum you then must accept peoples replys!

Firstly mate this was not meant as a dig at anyone except those who will gladly take your money without giving you the support & full training that you should receive.

It is a flooded market mate & as i have said. Unfortunatly it is difficult to start on the curcuit as a newly qualified CPO, yes we all have to start somewhere & we learn as we go along.

Myself & other training providers are meeting up to discuss what we feel needs to be added to make a better course.

Some people may ask what makes us able to say this should be added & that should be added, the simple answer is we are all operational companies as well as training providers, so we see what isn't quite right & what can be made better.

Yes we are in the business of making money & we want people to do our course's, but what i was trying to get across is that if you call me & explain what you want to do in the industry (for instance you want to do Psd training) if i cant teach you it, i'll put you in contact with a company that can, i'm not going to put my name or my companies name on the line for the sake of £2000, to try & sell you something you dont want.

What we want to do is give people a good head start in the industry, give you value for money, (by the way we all take a month out a year to train & keep our skill level up to date)

Mate, thanks for the reply & i hope i have answered some of your doubts.

P.s read the thread "are we training correctly"

James Mc

[bany]

james mac , i've just read your points i also agree with them. i'm new to this site, only completed a CP course early this year and still not in this industry, i've had no feed back and any questions answered from the company that i done the course with no phone calls, no letters only information about more courses and costs .