There are many reasons of why security guards are essential. They help protect businesses, schools, banks, and other important places. Not only do they protect places, but they also protect people. Many famous people will hire security guards known as body guards or a security guard company to protect them…

According to Wikipedia.org, a security guard (also known as a security inspector, security officer, or protective agent) is a person employed by a government or private party to protect the employing party’s assets (property, people, equipment, money, etc.) from a variety of hazards (such as crime, waste, damages, unsafe worker behavior, etc.) by enforcing preventative measures. Security services is referred to a capability that supports one, or many, of the security goals. Examples of security services are key management, access control, and authentication.

Security guards do this by maintaining a high-visibility presence to deter illegal and inappropriate actions, looking (either directly through patrols, or indirectly by monitoring alarm systems or video surveillance cameras) for signs of crime or other hazards (such as a fire), taking action to minimize damage (such as warning and escorting trespassers off property), and reporting any incidents to their clients and emergency services (such as the police or emergency medical services), as appropriate.

Security officers are generally uniformed to represent their lawful authority to protect private property. Security guards are generally governed by legal regulations, which set out the requirements for eligibility (such as a criminal record check) and the permitted authorities of a security guard in a given jurisdiction. The authorities permitted to security guards vary by country and subnational jurisdiction. Security officers are hired by a range of organizations, including businesses, government departments and agencies and not-for-profit organizations.

Until the 1980s, the term watchman was more commonly applied to this function, a usage dating back to at least the Middle Ages in Europe where there was no form of law enforcement. This term was carried over to North America where it was interchangeable with night-watchman (e.g. security guard) until both terms were replaced with the modern security-based titles. Security officers are sometimes regarded as fulfilling a private policing function.

Functions and Duties

Many security firms and proprietary security departments practice the “detect, deter, observe and report” method. Security officers are not required to make arrests, but have the authority to make a citizen’s arrest, or otherwise act as an agent of law enforcement, for example, at the request of a police officer or a sheriff.

A private security officer’s responsibility is protecting their client from a variety of hazards (usually in the form of criminal acts). Security personnel enforce company rules and can act to protect lives and property, and they sometimes have a contractual obligation to provide these actions. In addition to basic deterrence, security officers are often trained to perform specialized tasks such as arrest and control (including handcuffing and restraints), operate emergency equipment, perform first aid, CPR, take accurate notes, write detailed reports, and perform other tasks as required by the client they are serving. All security officers are also required to go through additional training mandated by the state for the carrying of weapons such as batons, firearms, and pepper spray (e.g. the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services in California has requirements that a license for each item listed must be carried while on duty). Some officers are required to complete police certification for special duties. In recent years, due to elevated threats of terrorism, most security officers are required to have bomb-threat training and/or emergency crisis training, especially those located in soft target areas such as shopping malls, schools, and any other area where the general public congregate. One major economic justification for security personnel is that insurance companies (particularly fire insurance carriers) will give substantial rate discounts to sites which have a 24-hour presence. For a high risk or high-value property, the discount can often exceed the money being spent on its security program. Discounts are offered because having security on site increases the odds that any fire will be noticed and reported to the local fire department before a total loss occurs. Also, the presence of security officers (particularly in combination with effective security procedures) tends to diminish “shrinkage“, theft, employee misconduct, and safety rule violations, property damage, or even sabotage. Many casinos hire security officers to protect money when transferring it from the casino to the casino’s bank.

Security personnel may also perform access control at building entrances and vehicle gates; meaning, they ensure that employees and visitors display proper passes or identification before entering the facility. Security officers are called upon to respond to potential hazards (such as broken lights or doors, disturbances, lost persons, minor injuries, etc.) and to assist in serious emergencies (medicals, fires, crime, etc.) by securing the scene to prevent further loss or damage, summoning emergency responders to the incident, helping to redirect foot traffic to safe locations, and by documenting what happened on an incident report to give their client an idea of how to prevent similar situations from occurring. Armed security officers are frequently contracted to respond as law enforcement until a given situation at a client location is under control and/or public authorities arrive on the scene.

Patrolling is usually a large part of a security officer’s duties, as most incidents are prevented by being looked for instead of waiting for them to occur. Often these patrols are logged by use of a guard tour patrol system, which require regular patrols. Until recently the most commonly used form used to be mechanical clock systems that required a key for manual punching of a number to a strip of paper inside with the time pre-printed on it. But recently, electronic systems have risen in popularity due to their lightweight, ease of use, and downloadable logging capabilities.^[3] Regular patrols are, however, becoming less accepted as an industry standard, as it provides predictability for the would-be criminal, as well as monotony for the security officer on duty. Random patrols are easily programmed into electronic systems, allowing greater freedom of movement and unpredictability. Global positioning systems are beginning to be used because they are a more effective means of tracking officers’ movements and behavior.

Professional Security/Bodyguards Training Programs

Close Protection Operations

Examples – International certifications:

The Intelligent Security Training Academy and Hard Target Self Defence Academy will be running a fully accredited Close Protection Operations (C.P.O.) course.

Upon successful completion of the course each candidate will receive a recognised BTEC/Edexcel Level 3 qualification in C.P.O.

This qualification is essential for operatives who wish to work within Ireland, Europe or England or for any U.K registered private contracting company. It is the law in the U.K under the private security act 2001 that all operatives are licenced by the Security Industry Authority (S.I.A) and there are substantial fines for those caught working without a licence.

The qualification also has its merits elsewhere in the world as more and more employment agencies in this particular sector of security are recognising the certification received as a standard internationally. We have contracts with supply companies from as far afield as Tahiti and Kazakhstan to train their existing staff to this level.

This is a unique opportunity for those employed in the security industry to take their profession to the next level. It is also a valuable course for ex-military or police looking to bridge the transition to the civilian executive protection market. Whatever your background, this course could very well be the key to a new and exciting career that may take you around the world providing protection for the rich and famous.

The course is intensive and requires a great deal of self-motivation, discipline, team work and focus, all attributes of a well-rounded C.P.O. The usual class time is from 09.00 hrs until 18.00 hrs but candidates are then expected to work on tasks and assignments that the instructors give on a daily basis, so be prepared to work into the night!

Each candidate is expected to complete a portfolio of their work over the two weeks which includes a 47 question workbook and all missions or assignments that they are given to work on. This portfolio will be assessed by an internal assessor and must be passed in order to complete the course.

There is also a main operation to be planned and executed which will also be assessed and finally a 60 question multiple choice exam on the last day of the course.

Course Content:
CP Legislation and Law
Roles & Responsibilities as a CPO
Threat & Risk Assessment
Surveillance Techniques
Venue Security Operations
Operational Planning
Interpersonal Skills and Considerations
Teamwork and Communication
Reconnaissance
CP Foot Drills and Exercises
Route Selection and Planning Ahead
Vehicle Tactics and Operations
Search Techniques and Procedures
Conflict Management Techniques
Anti-Terror Awareness
Cultural Differences & Customs
Krav Maga Combatives

Course Aim
The BTEC/Edexcel Level 3 Award in Close Protection is part of the United Kingdom’s requirements to obtain a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). It is also possible with this qualification to gain the French equivalent of the SIA Licence – CNAPS. We offer assistance with the relevant paperwork for each qualification.

Our course aims to deliver both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are required in Excecutive Protection. Our training package is fully comprehensive and goes well beyond the basic criteria as set down by the SIA. Extra curricular studies that we have added to our program include:

Assassination case studies
The History of modern close protection
Krav Maga unarmed combatives
Cardio and conditioning exercise circuits
Motorcade driving skills
Anti-terrorism awareness
Cultural differences & other customs
Working with children as a protection operative.

Who Should attend this course?
This course is designed for those wishing to transition from police, military or security backgrounds into the role of private executive protection or those wishing to embark on a career in the protective industries.