Employers
Working Conditions
CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATIVE (BODYGUARD)
OVERVIEW
A bodyguard is a highly trained security operative who protects his clients against personal attack, harassment or kidnapping. Close protection officers are contracted where there is a threat or potential threat to an individual's or group of individuals' safety. From high profile public appearances where unruly fans could harm a celebrity, to overseas business trips in politically unstable countries, close protection officers provide peace of mind and protection in risky situations. Depending on the particular situation, the contract may require overt (as an obvious, stated deterrent) or covert protection. Especially high risk situations will probably require both. Although the demographic of close protection officers is mostly male, female CPOs are often used in covert situations or where the client requires more discretion where they can more easily blend in as a member of the family or a girlfriend. Close protection has its own set of equipment. On high risk contracts the following equipment may be used: Kevlar body armour for the bodyguards and/or close protection officers. Reinforced cars with bullet proof glass. Automatic weapons modified to make them more concealable and manoeuvrable in tight spaces such as the HK MP5k sub machine gun. An extendable baton for close quarters combat. A medical kit with plasma. Secure communications equipment.
SALARY
Remuneration is often paid on a contractual basis so the close protection officer is basically self-employed, only earning when he is on a job. A daily rate is common and the amount paid depends on the risk factor involved. Low risk, national operations pay from R 300 - R 400 per day. Medium risk overseas operations pay around R1 400 - R1 500 per day. High risk operations pay around £1000 per day. Extremely high risk operations pay up to R5 500 per day.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The typical responsibilities of a close protection officer include: Performing detailed threat analysis on each contract, such as known or potential aggressors, and medical history of client Planning out routes in advance with the help of security consultants Securing destinations, clearing them of hostile surveillance equipment, and checking exits Accompanying clients in their day to day activities Driving clients to and from engagements Providing round the clock protection whilst clients enjoy leisure time, or sleep.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Security Industry Association (SIA) is the UK regulating body for close protection officers and other security personnel. In order to work as a bodyguard in the UK you must first attain a front line close protection licence. In order to get this you will need to study one of the following qualifications: Certificate in Protective Security: Buckingham New University City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection Operations Potential bodyguards must also provide evidence of a recent first aid certificate, accredited by the SIA as below: HSE - First Aid at work, 4 day course FPOS - First Person on Scene, 30 hours You can see a complete list of SIA endorsed training providers here. Close protection training will contain the following elements. After graduation an officer may go on to specialise through the course of his career in one or more of these areas: Route reconnaissance - looking out for potential pitfalls on route. Venue reconnaissance - securing the destination point, freeing it from bugging devices or threats. Embussing and debussing - the military terms given to getting a client in and out of a vehicle safely, the most dangerous part of a high risk operation. Close quarters battle - using pistols in crowded areas without hurting innocents with the aim of removing the client from danger. Offensive and defensive driving - using vehicles as a weapon or means of escape.
SKILLS
Apart from the standard qualifications required to work as a bodyguard, the following personal attributes would be useful: Discretion - client confidentiality is paramount. The ability to blend into a crowd and not be noticed. Conversely, the ability to stand out and provide a visual deterrent to others. Excellent powers of concentration and observation especially during lengthy periods of inactivity. The ability to keep a calm cool head in a crisis and think on your feet. Excellent vision and hearing. Great team working skills - bodyguards seldom work alone. The ability to improvise in the face of rapidly changing situations. Good communication skills.
As a close protection officer you could be working with a range of clients such as foreign or national dignitaries, high profile celebrities or business people, politicians or the families of any of these groups. Day to way work would mean accompanying them everywhere they went, possibly driving them there and in high risk situations, planning how they get there and back. Detailed planning can take place in an office beforehand and reconnaissance may need to be undertaken in destination buildings, proposed transport routes, business premises and the client's own home. The job is high risk, which is reflected in the pay: the higher the risk the higher the pay. Hours can be long and vigilance must be maintained at all times, sometimes 24 hours in which case shift work is involved. Clients may be undertaking travel to foreign countries so long periods away from home could be involved. Physical threat may come from potential kidnappers, overzealous fans, robbers or assassins. Although everything is done to minimise any perceived threat, if an attack does take place the close protection officer must be fit enough and trained to a standard where they can deal with any situation..
Private security firms are the main employers of close protection officers.
Experienced close protection officers can go on to become security consultants, involved in the planning and management of operations.
Close Protection Operatives is obliged to renew their skills through ongoing training.
Many people coming into the close protection industry come from a military background. Familiarisation with firearms, covert operations and strategic planning make them ideal candidates. Much close protection work in the UK will not involve the use of firearms, however, and military experience is useful but not a prerequisite. As an alternative to having been in the army full time, experience in the territorial army would be advantageous, as would experience working in other forms of security.
Career Progression
