Police Close Protection v Military Close Protection

[silent]

Have just completed a CP course run by two former police cp experts with many years behind them. The main difference I noticed was their use of 'softer skills' and etiquette that I never came across in my military training. The teamwork was the same and alot of the procedures very similar but I learned alot about tact where previously I would have proceeded differently. Basically different theatres different skill sets.

[BlueBoy]

Having just exited CO6 (SO16) I can vouch for CO19's comments re the earnings. It's almost offensive the money that can still be made by the rank and file officers. Shame I had to resign due to conduct offences lol

[James Mc]

That's the big difference when you come to do Corporate/ Executive protection mate, a slip in etiquette or an inability to blend into different social events can lead to a loss of face and for you a loss of contract.

[BlueBoy]

Err.... yeah I agree. The offences in question were road traffic oriented without going into details. The job would never have known about them had I kept my big mouth shut, but having done 'the right thing' and fessed-up.... I get the chop.
I'm my own worst enemy lol
This scenario may give the reader the incorrect impression that I am naive.
I'm not.
Am I mummy?
Mummy, where are you???

[James Mc]

Sorry Blueboy that wasn't aimed at you mate, it was in response to Silent's thread about the "softer skills"

no offence meant mate.

James Mc

[BlueBoy]

Yes, I see that now lol
It wasn't taken offensively anyway, there is a distinct scent of respect throughout this site, as one would expect from people of this ilk.
Right, back to the job sections in the papers lol

[Rod9834]

I was working with an Aussie army team in East Timor a couple of years ago on a joint job and discussed this very topic. It seems that the practices etc. used by the Aussie army in Iraq (and Timor) and the Aussie Federal Police are basically identical. However, the army team was better armed/equiped and was fitter and better disciplined than most of the police team though a few were excellent.

[RB294]

I can understand the need for softer skills whilst working with certain dignitaries in the UK environment, but surely the need for different mindsets and tactics in more military type environments is taught/covered in their training too?

I have worked alongside a few Met Special Branch teams in Afghan and Iraq alike.
I won't go into who the dignitaries were etc, but lets just say they were big targets. Out of all of the CPO's who accompanied the visiting dignitaries (spellcheck?) there were only 2 who were switched on to the type of environment they were going to be operating in. All the others looked like my grandad and carried themselves with a lack of professionalism throughout the visit. This was noticed by one of the dignitries who stated 'thank goodness your team is here Ambassador'.
Take that as you will, but to have a christmas jumper wearing, overweight 50 year old in the back of your vehicle as PES whilst on the move and to have him on the phone to his missus and trying to sleep throughout doesn't set a very good example of the standard we should expect in future times.

No dis-respect is meant to any current Met members on this site, but I also don't pull any punches and this is my view/opinion.

I'm expecting a slating now as I'm a new member!! (here we go)

[fdj12]

I had the the misfortune to have to rely on SB for protection of my Principal way back in 1978, during his visits to the mainland and I appreciate it is different now, but the 3 guys I accompanied, once we were ensconsed in our night accommodation, all they wanted to do was have a large number of bevvies in the bar and let the local boys take over. To say I was embarrassed was an understatement and no I didnt prescribe to the ritual, I had more respect for my principal and for the threat that existed. Many a morning on visits I had to drag them out of thier pits, these guys were the "Team" for my governor on numerous visits and yet on other visits differing teams were of the highest order, but they are by all the posts on here more professional today