What Do Bodyguards Know That You Don’t?

Whether you still call them bodyguards or have jumped on PC bandwagon and are now using the term,”Personal Protection Specialist or Executive Protection Specialist,” their role is the same. Mainly they are hired to provide a service for their clients who need, or just want, some additional piece of mind as they go about their business. Read the rest of this entry »

Executive Protection Training for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals

During my 29 years of police work, I had numerous opportunities to provide close protection, or “bodyguard” services to groups or individuals. Most of us in law enforcement can say the same thing. It was (and is) as interchangeable as traffic control or report writing. I can’t remember ever wondering if I was qualified to provide this close protection, but I must be, since I had a badge and gun, right? Like most crime prevention techniques, you figured that you must be doing something right if nothing bad happened. Read the rest of this entry »

Executive Protection and Michael Jackson

As the media hype continues over the death of Michael Jackson, some serious allegations about drugs and other destructive behaviors are surfacing. As the media often does with these types of events, finger pointing is turning into an Olympic event. Should we hold the doctors and family members responsible? How about the fans for creating all of that intense “pressure to perform?” Maybe an undiagnosed birth defect caused the bizarre behavior in the “King of Pop.” Read the rest of this entry »

Skill Enhancement vs. Certification

Most professionals will recognize the need to keep their skills sharp and up to date. For certain perishable skills, such as firearms, precision driving, defensive tactics, etc., the need to stay current is obvious. However, I have noticed a trend lately that puts certification ahead of skill enhancement or development. Read the rest of this entry »

EP, PPS or, SOF?

Do you all enjoy acronyms as much as I do? Alright,I’m fibbing about that. Although I understand that often, in the interest of brevity, they are necessary, but they need a glossary which tends to defeat the purpose. Anyway, this blog is about the Personal Protection field.

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How Do You Spend Your Training Dollars?

Let’s face it, everyone needs to stay current in their career arena. Most, if not all, employers expect their people to be well versed in the latest techniques, laws, technology, etc. and show proof of this education. To that end, a great deal of money is spent on training and certification. By the way, certification is merely evidence that you attended the class and maybe passed a test. Your proficiency cannot be guaranteed after the class ends. Read the rest of this entry »

What’s In Your Go-Bag?

Anyone who is, or was, a member of the military or law enforcement special ops team, will understand the significance of a go-bag.  A suitcase, duffle or garment bag that is ready when you are. Those who aren’t sure about what this contains can get a few ideas from this list. Read the rest of this entry »

When Defensive Tactics Become “Offensive”

Back when law enforcement started calling subject control “defensive tactics”, it was assumed that cops would only use force if someone attempted to hurt them. Somehow, over time, it evolved into arrest and control situations where the officer actually had to make the initial contact. Of course, thats what the job calls for and therein lies the problem. With the total lack of respect for authority, as well as the so-called citizens “rights,” comes this common reaction known as “resisting arrest.”

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Using Intuition as a Defensive Tactic

Over the years I have preached and prodded my students to be aware of their surroundings. I have covered in articles, here and elsewhere, the importance of identifying a threat before a incident begins, and responding in a deliberate way rather than a reactive and defensive manner. From the feedback I usually get, this seems logical and most agree that being pre-emptive is more likely to protect us than starting from a position of disadvantage. Read the rest of this entry »

Bodyguard or Bullet Magnet?

When you conjure up the image of a bodyguard, do you see the typical dark suited, sunglass wearing athlete with the curly wire sticking out of his ear? Or perhaps you envision the rough looking former spec ops guy wearing BDU’s and the fashionable tan equipment vest over his short sleeved shirt which was supposedly designed to “conceal” his sidearm? How about the AR-15 slung around the neck of a very stoic and dangerous looking individual? These stereotypical figures have become associated with the term “bodyguard” in the modern world. Hardly anyone would notice the well dressed “associate” who accompanies the “boss” to meetings and social gatherings.

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