Working as a Close Protection Officer
Given the significantly increased acts of terrorism, religious violence, burglary and criminality, close personal protection has gained popularity as a growing field of security. The steadily increasing need for specialised protection has only lead to a surge in jobs vacancies for personal security and support.
However, even with the demand so high, it can be quite challenging to land a job as a personal bodyguard. Just as it sounds, the close personal protection jobs are extremely stressful and demanding at times.
Authorities that hire security specialists have different clients and their specific needs. One might hire a protection executive to protect a top-rated celebrity. Others may need bodyguards for high-ranking government officials, politicians or wealthy royal personalities.
Depending upon your client and the role, you may have to escort a client from time to time, background check people who will come in contact with client or check vehicles for devices, bombs, or potential shooters. Depending on which security firm you’re applying for, you may have to pass varied physical assessment, stress and endurance tests.
More on Duties and Responsibilities
While the understood responsibility of a close protection professional is to protect the concerned person or people, core duties of a certain specialist may differ based on the level of risk to their client and the role given to them.
You may have to be part of a security squad or serve as a driver or be an individual bodyguard to your client. Whether or not a close protection officer will be armed also depends on the risks involved and the level of security required.
Protection Training
Contrary to the stereotypical image of a bodyguard, having a physically string built alone doesn’t qualify you as one. A bodyguard, regardless of the industry and people they intend or hired to work for, has to undergo intense close protection training to obtain the right temperament and skills needed for the job.
To provide a high level of security to VIP clients and individuals suspecting personal threats, private security companies establish training programs for their security executives to be able to live up to their goals and responsibilities.
In addition to security training, certification, licensing, insurance and separate car license are permitted to professionals to have successfully complete their training in order to be legitimised to serve.
So, if you have an intention to make a career in close personal protection you better find a certified and reputable firm to train you into a responsible bodyguard.