Hiding behind a shroud of decency, claiming that their intentions are noble, Michael Jackson’s bodyguards are the latest to tell-all on their celebrity principals.  In an interview with Good Morning America three of Michael Jackson’s bodyguards spoke openly about his children, family routines, his parenting, and they even spoke about his sexuality in a veiled attempt to bring honor to the pop star’s tarnished reputation.

Showing little regard for the Jackson family’s reasonable expectation of privacy, these three bodyguards eagerly offered an inside glimpse into the private life of one of the world’s most public figures and the children he trusted them to protect.

The public veneer of any celebrity is an image they struggle to maintain while the camera rolls, but when they step into the closed quarters of their vehicles or their private residences it is, or at least should be, their opportunity to be themselves, whoever that “self” might be.

Bodyguards are part of a public figure’s inner circle.  Bodyguards are by the nature of their profession brought into this inner circle by either contractual or an implicit understanding that what goes on behind the scenes is a sacred trust that is not to be broken.

Breaking this sacred trust complicates the job for all bodyguards because it compromises the very security they are expected to provide and causes clients everywhere to question how secure their secret lives really are from the prying eyes of the public.  It causes them to question how safe it is to be themselves in the presence of the ones they pay to protect not only their lives but their public image.

Regardless of how noble the intentions may be, this is a line that ought never be crossed.

Recently Frank Gallagher, one of the true professionals in our industry wrote an article entitled, “Have we lost perspective.” Frank’s thought-provoking article is sure to create lively discussion within the EP industry and make people think long and hard about the ancillary duties they perform on a regular basis for clients.

The funny thing about climbing to the top of any industry, be it entertainment, business, or public service, is that it creates an inevitable isolation from the normalcy that most people live in.  In fact, being a bodyguard to these individuals is far from normal.

This disconnect from the rest of the world can often create a sense of loneliness and isolation which can cause the protectee to draw closer to the bodyguard and create a familiarity that begins to expand boundaries in some unpredictable ways.  In addition to the protectee becoming comfortable being themselves in the presence of the bodyguard they will often count on the bodyguard to do things that are at best, odd.

The premise behind Gallagher’s article is that bodyguards must erect a wall or draw a line in the sand which clearly defines what is and what is not the bodyguard’s responsibility.  Gallagher further argues that those who continue to take on menial tasks like cooking breakfast and running errands expand the job description of the bodyguard and create unreasonable expectations for clients everywhere.

While it is difficult to argue with Gallagher’s logic and his vast experience in the field there are a few things to consider before staging a coup-de-gras with your client and defending your masculine honor.

First, Gallagher’s point should be well taken; your primary responsibility is to the safety of your protectee.  Anything that compromises that main priority should be considered outside the scope of your duties.  In other words, if you find yourself scrambling eggs for the kids while the chef accompanies your protectee outside the family compound, something is probably wrong and needs to be adjusted.

The fact is that your ancillary duties should never usurp your primary duties.  However, remember that this is a tough job market and no matter where you look and no matter what industry you consider, everyone is being asked to do more with less.

Look at it like this, a police officer’s primary responsibility is law enforcement, but does that negate their need to occasionally perform duties that are more akin to a social worker or a civil engineer?  An average security officer’s job often entails vestiges of customer service that were unheard of 10 years ago.

Even health care professionals are being asked to go beyond the traditional roles of practicing medicine and to understand holistic wellness which involves lifestyle, fitness, and prevention.  The point is that whereas you cannot abandon your responsibility to protect your client, there is always a young, forward thinking individual who will do the things you might find beneath your dignity eagerly, professionally, and still protect the client’s well being.

Here’s another solid video from our friend Mark James from Panther Protection services. As with all the contributors to our website, we are very grateful to be associated with such professionals.

 Hucky

When we speak of the “concentric rings” of protection, we are referring to the need to place as many physical and procedural barriers as possible between the Protectee and any potential adversary. In military circles, this concept is known as “defense in depth”.  However, as we all know, there are two critical components to establishing these concentric rings: 1) what does a threat assessment indicate is necessary and 2) what security intervention strategies will the Protectee accept?

This has served as a frustrating plateau for many security managers throughout history, who, exercising due diligence, have reason to believe the executive (or dignitary or celebrity) is at risk , but are unable to persuade said executive to consider security enhancements.  Often, the concept of protection is new to the affected parties and requires patient explanation – as well as introduction in stages or phases.

Phases of Protection

* Awareness Phase

Somewhat like the case of a substance abuser, the first hurdle that must be overcome with a Protectee is getting them to realize they have a problem. Depending on how they earn their living, they may or may not be open to discussing their private lives with a “security” person. Further, they haven’t the innate wisdom or tactical expertise at this stage to identify or understand potential security problems. We would consider a Protectee at this stage to be naïve to security issues and therefore need a sales pitch to raise their interest.

Such a pitch would include discussion of current news events about other executives or dignitaries experiencing security problems, a summation of suspicious incidents occurring within their own organization, or the protective intelligence reports published by government and private organizations around the world that illustrate upward trends in violence.  Your initial audience may have to include human resources, operations or financial managers as well, in order to avoid conflict further down the road.

* Perimeter Phase

Usually the first actionable opportunity that presents is the recognition of a need to site-harden work or residential venues. This is sometimes due to direct threats or could even be as simple as media reports of an increase in crime in the Protectee’s neighborhood.

Keep in mind, that security enhancements made to personal residences or property may be seen as a perquisite or “perk” in the US and may subject the referenced executive to increased tax liability, unless the security professional can demonstrate a “bona fide business-oriented security concern” and the specified recommendations are made by a qualified (but objective) third party assessor [US IRC Section 132(a)(3)]. Security managers are encouraged to work with their tax department or competent CPA’s to negotiate around this IRS rule.

* Involvement Phase

Once a level of trust has been reached, the Protectee may direct members of his/her administrative staff to share schedules and itineraries with the security department and allow security input for public or high-profile appearances or for travel into high-threat regions.

This is where the argument for advance work is made and used to persuade the Protectee that one of the essential functions of protection is the facilitation of their daily schedule. Through the implementation of thorough security advances we are better positioned to understand the true threat profile of our Protectee and to make prudent recommendations for necessary security enhancements.

* Enhanced Phase

If the threat assessment indicates escalated concern, and as the Protectee becomes better educated, s/he may agree to itinerant protection (or “indirect” as FLETC refers to it) during high-profile events or travel to the high risk geographic regions and venues. In this phase, an active protective intelligence process is necessary to keep a current log of specific threats under investigation, as well as particular regions of the globe that present a higher risk.

The Protectee (or their organization) may also be considered at higher risk due to their nationality or the organization’s symbolic value to adversarial groups. Such temporary security details require coordination with local contract EP/CP providers and indigenous government agencies, and must be managed with a keen eye on both the threats extant and the budget available.

* Direct Phase

The pinnacle of any protection program is the provision of full-time protective details for the Protectee (and immediate family); direct coverage 24 hours a day. This facet will be the most invasive and annoying type of protection that any human being can countenance. Protective agents will be close to the Protectee at home, at work, at play and in transit.

Aside from the personal invasion of space and time, this will be seen by financial planners as being extremely costly, and in publicly traded corporations, will be “reportable”. In other words, your expenditures for executive security will find their way into the company’s annual report and the public domain. Thus, unless a protection manager can demonstrate a specific omnipresent threat of lethal value, security plans will be challenged at every step and will be seen as “expendable” whenever budgets are under the knife.  Consequently, most of the world’s business leaders do not have full-time protective details.

Our Value

For the corporate security professional, the security service provider, and even for the public agency security program director – we need to remember that protection is not an “all-or-nothing” business, but rather one that is fluid and relational to the customer’s needs.

It is an intangible product that is difficult to value unless we are seen narrowly avoiding catastrophe on a regular basis. On the other hand, too many dramatic “saves” should caution us that our protection strategy may be flawed. Our goal is to avoid danger; not to stage rescues. Thus, the unfortunate resultant dichotomy (that should be our bumper sticker) created is, “If nothing happens, we don’t need you. If something happens, you’re not doing your job”.

Build your value to your client organizations by constantly upgrading your skill-sets. Learn more about your customer’s business, learn more about innovative security systems and processes, and prepare yourself to make a business case for appropriate levels of protection.

And perhaps most importantly, become an educator. Educate potential protectees, their respective staff and others in the supply chain pipeline so that they know when to call you and how you can be of service to them. Never assume that because you’re not standing a post outside someone’s door, that you’re not protecting them!
Rick Colliver is the program developer and lead instructor in the Principal Protection program at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and is an adjunct instructor in protective operations in several police, military and academic organizations. He is also the global security director for a multi-national corporation with operations in 24 time zones, and has managed protection details in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Location: Birmingham, AL

Salary: N/A

Posted Date: March 5, 2010

Close Date: March 20, 2010

For more info click on this link: Job Alert
What we post, is the only information that we have on these listing. Bodyguard Careers is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse any of the links provided on our site.

The information and contents of our site are provided as a resource for information to prospective bodyguards.

Bodyguard Careers is not responsible in any way for the content or accuracy of any of the sites that are linked from it or any sites that are linked to Bodyguard Careers.

Individuals should always use caution in considering any type of fees or investment associated with any company or organization.

Happy hunting.
Hucky

In 1985 there were only 340 thousand cell phone users in the US, compared with 262 million in 2008.  The fact is that over the past twenty years technology has not only changed the way we live, it has changed the way we think and the way we communicate.  Communication is not only the way we send and receive personal information, it defines the way we examine the world and the way the world examines us.

Most people have been shocked into the reality of identity theft.  In response to this cyber menace, huge and lucrative industries in identity protection have popped up over night to allay people’s fear of financial ruin.  Those who work in the Executive Protection Industry need to stay ahead of this movement primarily because the men and women we protect often have so much to loose in terms of their finances and their reputations. 

Therefore, it makes sense to include identity protection as one of the constituent elements of the protection portfolio we offer to our clients.  Most Executive Protection Professionals have figured out the need to keep their clients out of harms way physically.  However, when you are able and willing to offer a total package of protection which includes threats from the cyber world, you have given potential clients an additional reason to request your services.

 
The image of security has reacted to cyber threats and is now more inclusive of the dangers that exist both in the physical realm and in the cyber world.  The time has come for the image of Executive Protection to evolve as well.  In the past one used to associate security professionals with the uniformed officer wearing a utility belt. 

Now when you do an internet search for security jobs you find page after page of companies looking for security analyst and IT professionals.  The security industry had to change from the concept of protecting clients from physical threats only, to protecting clients from cyber threats.  The time has now come for Executive Protection specialists to include protection from cyber threats as well.

In a July 2nd 2007 article entitled, “Hackers Target Execs and their Families, “ InfoWorld, www.inforworld.com, reported that cyber hackers are targeting corporate executives and their families in an effort to steal company information.  These hackers have developed software that can actually track keystrokes made by top level executives on their personal and business computers. 

They often entice family members of these executives through emails and word documents that are disguised to look familiar or to come from someone they know and trust.  Imagine the value you can bring to your client when you are not only able to protect them and their families from physical harm but you are looking out for hackers that can compromise their entire empire with a few strokes of the keyboard.

Sometimes it is necessary to enter into the criminal mind in order to protect your primary.  One does not need a Master’s Degree from MIT to provide valuable protection from cyber threats.  On a regular basis, do an internet sweep of your clients and see what public information is out there about them.  Do an in depth analysis of the information you discover.  Is there public information out there regarding relatives names, places of residence, birthdates, hobbies, vacation spots, and their acquaintances. 

Tell your primary how much public information is out there about them and make good recommendations about how they can keep themselves and their families safe from cyber threats.  Keep abreast of cyber scams by subscribing to websites and other organizations that track such things. 

 Advise your primary about the scams you learn about and let them know where they may be vulnerable.  Recommend that your primary take steps to stop feeding more personal information to the internet through social networking sites and other areas.  In most cases, they will not be able to completely stop the flow of information, but they can set up protocols within their homes and work places to keep themselves safe in the cyber world.

Taking the threat of hackers seriously is another way to raise the bar in Executive Protection.  By making this information available to your primary you add value to the service you provide by providing forward thinking which out paces your competition.

There are no elaborate schemes or formulas for earning more in executive protection; it really comes down to a single thing.  Never cut your rates.  As simple as this one thing sounds, anyone who has been in business at all will know there always seem to be compelling reasons to cut your rates but when you do so, you create a landslide of obstacles barring access to increased future earnings.

We have all experienced the disappointment of purchasing an item or service at full price only to find the same item from the same provider days later for substantially less money.  When this happens it doesn’t take much to figure out that the seller was offering the item far above market value in the first place. 

Whenever this happens you immediately feel taken advantage of.  This is the same thing that occurs in the mind of your client when they realize your rates were always open to a downward adjustment.  This is true when your client is the one who manages to negotiate a better rate with you and when they hear of another client getting a better rate for the same service.

The second problem with cutting your rates is that it sends a signal to your client that you really are not worth the money you charge.  Again, think of this as a consumer.  People who are selling a superior product or service do not have to drop their prices, they know their product is worth the money, and they know their customers will pay a fair price.  This is not arrogance; this is confidence. 

Clients may not always enjoy paying for services rendered but they do enjoy knowing they are getting good value for the money they spend on personal protection.  When you stick to your guns you are sending a message to your client that your services are worth every penny of what you are charging.

Another reason for standing firm is that when you agree to accept less for your services you are telling your client you are desperate.  The problem with being desperate is that it indicates no one else would want to hire you.  This is a bad message to send to a client who is counting on you to keep them safe. 

It’s a little bit like shopping for a bullet resistant vest and the shop keeper is uncompromising on his price for the first three you look at, but on the fourth vest he is more than willing to bargain.  Anyone who values their life would not pay for the fourth vest, and you would probably not wear it even if the shop keeper was giving it away for free. 

The way to fix this problem is to do a good market analysis and price your services accurately for the market you are in.  Write up a solid business plan that explains why you are worth the rates you charge and include honest appraisals of your services compared with the competition within your market.  Bring value to your client and be prepared to explain why you have priced your services as they are. 

Try not to be offended when they ask you to justify your fees, this is your chance to shine and let them know what they are getting for their money.  List your certifications and the schools you have attended.  Explain how your EMT certifications, language skills, marksmanship training, and other acumen benefit them.  Once you determined the fair price for your services stand firm and show your client that you are worth the investment.

Location: Petion-Ville, Haiti

Salary: N/A

Posted Date: February 19, 2010

Close Date: March 19, 2010

For more info click on this link: Job Alert
What we post, is the only information that we have on these listing. Bodyguard Careers is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse any of the links provided on our site.
The information and contents of our site are provided as a resource for information to prospective bodyguards.

Bodyguard Careers is not responsible in any way for the content or accuracy of any of the sites that are linked from it or any sites that are linked to Bodyguard Careers.
Individuals should always use caution in considering any type of fees or investment associated with any company or organization.

Happy hunting.
Hucky

Location: Denver, CO

Salary: 73,848.00 – 96,001.00 USD /year

Posted Date: February 16, 2010

Close Date: February 22, 2010

For more info click on this link: Job Alert

What we post, is the only information that we have on these listing. Bodyguard Careers is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse any of the links provided on our site.
The information and contents of our site are provided as a resource for information to prospective bodyguards.

Bodyguard Careers is not responsible in any way for the content or accuracy of any of the sites that are linked from it or any sites that are linked to Bodyguard Careers.
Individuals should always use caution in considering any type of fees or investment associated with any company or organization.

Happy hunting.

Hucky

Being a contract executive protection (EP) agent and working for yourself on contracts is tougher than it looks. Most people only see the end product of protective coverage being provided to the principle. They don’t see the hours of advance work, the sometimes stressful situations and the demanding schedules that EP agents go through.

They don’t know about the months of living out of a suitcase, being on the road all the time and eating dull hotel food on a regular basis.

This is the business and you can’t escape the downsides. But its still better than earning minimum wage stateside. If you’re serious about becoming a contract EP agent working for yourself you’ll need the right attitude, training and opportunity.

Training should be your foundation of success. Read good books written by professionals in the industry. get certified and attend elite training academies.

In a world of increasing risk and uncertainty professional education counts. It is important for you to learn about threat management, EP tactics and advance work. Educate yourself to grow wiser and get high-paying clients. You must have a burning passion and desire to succeed in this industry. There is no magical way to grow and earn money in the business.

When starting out keep flexible and keep an open mind, solve security related problems and prevent threats. Be willing to pay your dues and be ready to perform physical labor in the form of advance work, conducting field surveys, running the routes, scouting airports, hospitals, hotels and venues that will be visited by your principle.

Be prepared to conduct wall-way duty, guarding the outside of the principals hotel room suite, also known as “halls and walls” duty.

Being a contract EP agent is a pretty good way to earn a living and an honest way to make a buck. After you have built a strong foundation in the business by paying your dues and you have earned the respect and gratitude of your clients, its time to increase your services and income.

Start concentrating your efforts on high-end clients and international protective assignments. When you work for yourself, you set the geographical locations where you want to work. You also reap the benefits.

Pick high and moderate risk locations where prospect clients travel to on a regular basis. Keep your expenses low while diligently building the financial resources for the initial up-front costs and funding of international assignments. Take calculated risks and have the courage to expand your EP business and generate some serious income for yourself.

It is not the purpose of this article to go into the specifics of starting your business. The purpose of this article is to get you motivated to obtain technical knowledge, build your self-confidence and do something that others might not have the courage to do. Be committed to succeed. I know you will. Good luck and God speed.

Doc Rogers is the author of the new book entitled: Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards. Step-by-step instructions on providing corporate executive protection for those new to the industry as well as veterans. Doc is the Director of Diplomatic Protection (DDP) for International Corporate Executive Protection. He is a Certified Protection Specialist and has a Ph.D in Security Administration. Prior to his appointment as DDP for International Corporate Executive Protection he was a former veteran police officer. Doc is widely regarded as the leading authority on Executive Protection In Southeast Asia and India. To learn more about the author and his new book visit: http://www.international-corporate-executive-protection.com or to order online: http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000159783

Location: Baltimore, MD

Salary:N/A

Posted Date: February 10, 2010

Close Date: February  25, 2010

For more info click on this link:  Job Alert

What we post, is the only information that we have on these listing. Bodyguard Careers is not affiliated with, nor does it endorse any of the links provided on our site.
The information and contents of our site are provided as a resource for information to prospective bodyguards.

Bodyguard Careers is not responsible in any way for the content or accuracy of any of the sites that are linked from it or any sites that are linked to Bodyguard Careers.
Individuals should always use caution in considering any type of fees or investment associated with any company or organization.

Happy hunting.

Hucky