The word "bodyguard" has become a "Hollywood" term and that's probably not what you want. The occupational name is "Security Officer" or "Security Personnel" and specialists in this area are not hard to find. Follow these instructions to ensure that you are hiring a truly qualified person for the purpose of protecting the life and well-being of another individual.
Steps
Step 1. Try to understand that “Security Personnel” is a professional service, so keep realistic expectations
As the main component of the PROTECTION SERVICES, the Security Personnel is divided into different specializations focused on the type of person to be protected. Individuals trained to manage corporate executives, politicians, dignitaries and families who hold some importance fall under "Executive Protection", or PE, in contrast to those trained to work in the service of celebrities, actors, musicians, professional athletes and other high profile public individuals; they are called "Talent Security Agents". All skilled professionals are trained to have a visibly low profile, to be able to adapt to your lifestyle and to intrude as little as possible.
Step 2. Contrary to the UK and other countries, there are no national civilian training standards for this profession in the US or Canada; there are several titles that a professional might use:
Executive Protection, “Executive Protection”, Protective Services, “Protection Services”, Personal Protection, “Personal Protection” or Personal Security, “Security Personnel”.
Step 3. As in the Secret Service, the best individuals are proactive, well-groomed, intelligent, articulate and educated professionals who are trained to PREVENT a threat to your well-being
Contrast these specialists with the stereotypical 200kg gorillas who work for Britney Spears or Madonna. These bodyguards are only capable of REACTING in the face of a threat and usually work as bouncers or bounty hunters or on the fringes, as bodyguards; they generally did not receive specialized training.
Step 4. Search the internet for the regulations of the place where you live on private security companies
Learn the name of the license required for a Bodyguard, Personal Protection Officer, or something closely related. Candidates will need this license in order to work for you. That said, don't assume that a Bodyguard license issued anywhere is in itself a good indicator of the professional's abilities. For example, most U. S. states have no requirements beyond being licensed to carry a concealed handgun, some have very strict training requirements, and the rest have shockingly low training requirements, which do not meet the standards of professionally recognized minimum training. These licenses have names like "Personal Protection Officer" or "Personal Protection Specialist" and are likely required of the individual to work for you, but most of them are acquired with so little training that anyone can get a title if he has a "Security Guard" license and money to pay for a course at Bodyguard (which, for example, costs about $ 100 in the United States).
Step 5. Make sure your candidates have earned their degrees by taking a course
For example, if you live in the United States, the course should have been run by the Government Protective Service, such as:
- United States Secret Service (Special Agent versus Uniformed Division).
- US State Department Diplomatic Security Service.
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
- Protective Services Training Course of the US Army Military Police School.
- US Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
- US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
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US Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI)
The specialists you can rely on may also have earned their degree from one of those internationally recognized and respected U. S. civilian executive protection schools, such as:
- Executive Security International (ESI), Colorado.
- Executive Protection Institute, Virginia.
- R. L. Oatman & Associates, Maryland.
- National Protective Services Institute, Texas
- Gavin de Becker & Associates, California.
- Former Vance International, Virginia.
- International Training Group, California.
- Texas A&M University's TEEX, Texas.
- US Training Center, North Carolina.
- Executive Protection International, Massachusetts.
- There is also a university that allows you to specialize in Personal Protection Management and offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs (see Henley-Putnam University).
- If a candidate has attended a school not listed among the most prestigious, make sure the instructors openly identify themselves, have long experience (more than 10 years) in Government Protection Services or a civilian equivalent, and that the course has been taken for a MINIMUM of 100 hours of formal training of security personnel.
- As a second choice, consider Executive Protection / Security Services / Corporate Security personnel from Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft, Dell, Boeing, IBM, etc., with direct (not limited or complementary) experience.
Step 6. If you live in the United States, remember that just because a person has been in the military or law enforcement or worked in another country using a Protective Services Detail (PSD) does NOT mean they have the mindset, the the right training and skill set to work as a Security Personnel in the United States
If a candidate claims to have been a member of a US Military Special Operations Force, such as an Army Special Forces Green Beret, US Army Ranger, Navy SEAL, Air Force Combat Controller, Marine Corps Special Operations (MARSOC), etc.., ask him to provide you with an ORIGINAL copy of his DD214. This document is given to all former members of the military service, will give you the names of the schools in which he has finished his studies and will indicate his professional character while on duty. If he claims his background is confidential, he is lying to you. The only really secret thing about his military background would be the missions he participated in
Step 7. Obtain copies of the candidate's driver's license, Social Security card, and all professional certificates
Step 8. Conduct an internet background check and pay for a simple criminal background check
Step 9. Have each candidate sign a non-disclosure agreement (available free on the internet) before discussing your needs and personal information
Step 10. Look for a specific experience and ask for examples of how the candidate has demonstrated their competence and skills, including:
- “Choreography” (knowing how to position yourself, walk and get in and out of the car with the person you are protecting).
- Conduct work in advance to prepare for planned trips and events.
- Effective countermeasures to address an attack or security threat should one materialize.
- Knowledge of physical security and access to control systems.
- Formal training in specialized driving skills, expert firearms handling and defense tactics or martial arts.
Step 11. Ask the candidate for the names of the “big boys” he protected
If it gives you a list, it's probably true, but it can often be verified by contacting the company, government office, or agent or representative of the celebrity. However, if a candidate begins to disclose other people's personal information, it is possible that they are violating the nondisclosure and confidentiality statements they have signed. At the same time, don't accept the answer "I can't say this for privacy reasons". Good bodyguards are very careful about disseminating information about former clients and protégés, and will find a way for you to verify their claims without breaking nondisclosure agreements.
Step 12. Specialized driving skills are generally considered a sub-specialty of Security Personnel and are commonly known as Evasive Driving and / or Counter Ambush, and few Personal Security professionals have participated in formal and in-depth training
In the United States, for example, there are very few well-known and respected schools that teach these skills:
- Scotti School of Defensive Driving (SSDD).
- Bill Scott Raceways (BSR).
- Vehicle Dynamics Institute.
- Bob Bondurant School of Performance Driving.
- Crossroads Training Academy.
- Advanced Driving & Security Inc. (ADSI).
- Vehicle Ambush Countermeasures Training Program (VACTP) of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Advice
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Look for the following traits in your candidates:
- Integrity.
- Honesty.
- Safety.
- Discretion.
- Poise.
- Attention to details.
- Reactivity.
- Flexibility.
- Intelligence.
- Patience.
- I commit.
- Experience.
- The person you hire should blend in with your lifestyle. Will he be able to dress and behave like you and the people around you?
Warnings
- Avoid hiring people with a big ego, overly enthusiastic, combative attitude or "militant" personality.
- Be very careful of websites or brochures with images of SWAT personnel, ninjas, samurai and "secret agents" or with guns on each page.
- If the website of an individual or agency does NOT contain information such as the owner's name, the place where they have been trained to do this job, and the VERIFIABLE experience, immediately be wary of it.
- If your research leads you to a Private Investigator, ask him questions about where he received his formal Executive Protection training and the names of at least two of his clients or client representatives.
- Hire someone really, really responsible and strong too!
