There are many types of security services available, and possibly the most intriguing is the close protection officer also commonly called the executive safety officer or bodyguard. These people are tasked with ensuring that the security of individuals from the public eye, such as politicians, celebrities, executives of companies in a variety of industries and a lot more.
The role of the executive safety officer is very complicated, and generally very different from that of a regular security guard. Because of this, these people have to undergo special training for their role which makes them especially suited to the job. A number of these kinds of shield can also be Special Forces trained, and may have backgrounds in policing or the army.
Some of the main tasks that the close protection officer is tasked with. Include protecting their customers from the threat of physical violence. The officer will accompany their customer on business trips, social trips, and their morning run out. The guard will remain near the protected individual at just about all items to make sure their safety.
The role of this officer does not just stop there, however, as they will be responsible for the assessing of places and locations for threats ahead of the customer arriving there. The shield is well trained in the understanding of possible dangers, and will therefore carry out this risk assessment of physical places so as to further protect their client.
They may also be tasked with residential safety, being present at their customer’s home so they do not face any dangers here. They may also take on the role of a dedicated chauffeur for customers, and will be responsible for the checking of the car if left unattended, and need to train in defensive and evasive driving methods.
Another important aspect of the bodyguards in London is travelling with the person in question. Examples of this include when an important executive must travel for business, or a politician is going overseas as part of their job. These environments can be quite substantial risk, and may consequently require the accompaniment of a trained safety professional or even several executive safety officers.
Finally, another important role of the executive safety officer is to install and monitor surveillance equipment, including hidden cameras. This further increases the amount of security afforded to the customer that is hiring this sort of close protection.
Naturally, no two customers are alike, and close protection officers will be required to undertake various tasks specific to their clientele. These may include studying the area for very specific threats, more or less regular travel, dealing more or less with the general public, and carrying on rigorous physical work based on the amount of activity of the customer.
Along with this, close protection officers may be required to operate in very hostile environments, including foreign countries where there are civil or political unrest that could threaten the life span of the customer in question. Because of this, the job is an extremely specialised role which requires a substantial number of soft and hard skills.