Three Things To Look for When Hiring a Bodyguard or Executive/Close Protection Security Specialist

Three Things To Look for When Hiring a Bodyguard or Executive/Close Protection Security Specialist

How do you know if you are hiring a qualified security professional for personal protection?  Being a bouncer, doorman, cooler, security guard, military or police are not in themselves qualifications to be a certified experienced protection professional.  While most trusted professionals in the industry have a foundation in military or law enforcement, being a qualified bodyguard requires specialized training.  

The answer is documentation.  Here are three things to look for when hiring a bodyguard, or as they like to be called, protection professionals or protective specialists.  This will go a long way in helping you avoid the fly-by-night or a wanna-be tough guy just wearing sun glasses and talking a good game.

For VIPS, celebrities, CEOs and other high profile and at-risk individuals, a bodyguard can be one of the most important decisions one can make.  Professional bodyguards not only facilitate more efficient business and provide safety, a good protective agent will inspire peace of mind, reducing stress and adding to quality of life. 

1. Training and Experience

Most bodyguards or Executive Protection Specialists or CPP (Close Protection Professionals) have a background in  military or law enforcement as well as specialized education.  Ask for documentation and check them out.   For military service members you can ask to see a copy of a DD-214.

2. Reputation and References

Professional protection agents will have a prepared list of references available for you.  If for any reason they make excuses or try to distract you from this step, it is a big red flag.  Credible bodyguards will encourage you to check them out.

3. Confidentiality and Professionalism

It pays to do your due diligence when hiring a bodyguard.  After all, it is the security of your assets or loved ones at stake.  It is best to take your time and do the necessary steps to verify the agent and or firm you hire.  You can also contact other firms.  Even if they are in competition with the one you inquire about, true professionals often refer business to one another and work cooperatively on larger details.  It will give you more insight to make a more informed decision.

You can also look for industry accepted training certifications such as ASIS or others.  It is strongly recommended that you verify successful completion of training from a recognized training institution such as ESI (Executive Security International), BTI (Bodyguard Training International/USA Bodyguards), R.L. Oatman and Associates, Gavin de Becker and Associates, Sexton Security and others.  These are a few of the more respected and recognized bodyguard training facilities in the USA.  A bit of research online can help you get some quick answers.

John D. Nottingham, EPS, 6th Dan

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecurity.com

4731 E. Greenway Suite 10

Phoenix, AZ 85032

(602) 896-8721

Member: ASIS

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security

____________________________________________

ScottsdaleBodyguards.com ScottsdaleExecutiveProtection.com

Security, Self Defense and Personal Protection Training

Personal Protection. Security Beyond Basic Self Defense

Safety and Attack Prevention Planning for your Lifestyle and Peace of Mind

Below is a summary of the physical, mental, tactical and legal skills taught in the NTS courses curriculum. NTS training programs are mission/context specific and customized to client's needs.

Physical:

Principles of structure/base, range, power generation and movement

• Why self defense is not fighting or hand to hand combat
• Fundamentals of footwork, angles, positioning and built-in defense
• Fighting ranges: kicking, striking, in-fighting, grappling
• Principles of takedowns and throws
• Principles from martial arts: Juijutsu, Brazilian Jiu-jutsu (BJJ), Ninjutsu, Jeet-kune-do, Wing-chun Kung-fu
• Critical lessons from history, war and battle strategists that can save your life
• Applications of military hand to hand combat hybrids: Krav Maga, Kapap, LINE, Army CQB (close quarters battle)
• The Role of Joint manipulation and joint locking for personal defense
• Releases and restraints for less dangerous situations
• Counters&Defenses; against common attacks
• Dealing with the sucker puncher
• Dealing with the criminal predator
• Ground survival: holding out on the ground, dealing with the grappler or wrestler
• Dominating offense: take away the attacker's ability to fight
• Great equalizers: when you need to negate size and strength
• Scenario-based training and force-on-force resistance and aliveness drills
• Adrenal stress conditioning: train for abnormal physiological state
• Beating "freeze response" and panic with fear management techniques
• Surviving, countering and/or disarming attacks with edged and impact weapons
• Surviving, countering and/or disarming against guns and other firearms
• Surviving multiple attacker situations and gang-style attacks
• Disarming weapons such as a knife, gun, or club
• Off hand tools: Using improvised weapons of opportunity and circumstance

Mental:

• Understanding violence, self-defense, rights and responsibilities
• The role of intuition "Gift of Fear" and your premonition of danger survival intelligence
• Awareness to alertness / Presence of Mind
• Ethical, moral, social self-defense
• Effective boundary development how to completely eliminate indecision
• Force vs. violence, assertiveness vs. aggression
• Inside the criminals mind, criminology 101
• overview
• How attackers operate – know your enemy
• Adrenal stress conditioning: having fear work for you
• Effective verbal defense and de-escalation
• Bodyguard skill of target hardening: become a hard target in any interaction

Tactical:

• Understanding awareness: yellow, orange, red threat zones
• Understanding context: yellow, orange and red responses
• Realistic threat assessment for your lifestyle
• Street smarts: dangerous places, dangerous people and situations
• Foreseeing / foretelling violence
• How to fail a criminal's interview
• The right habits for self-defense
• Home security and defense
• Car/auto/vehicle security
• Workplace security
• Security for traveling
• Safer habits and choices

Legal:

• Legal use of force for civilians
• Legal requirements for successful self-defense – scenarios
• Self-defense vs. fight vs. assault vs. combat
• How to avoid criminal charges
• How to avoid civil charges
• Arresting officer's perspective
• Third party protection
• Home/office protection

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom
http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com
http://USA-MartialArts.com

http://ParadiseValleyMartialArts.com
http://ScottsdaleKarate.com
http://JohnNottingham.com

Author

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards. He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management. A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder, he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst. He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools.

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele. Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence. Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.