Bodyguard

Job overview
A bodyguard, or Close Protection Officer, is a professionally trained security operative who protects his/her clients against personal attack.

Bodyguards are contracted where there is a threat or potential threat to an individual or group's safety.

They protect a range of clients such as foreign or national dignitaries, high profile celebrities or business people, politicians or the families of any of these groups.

Private security firms are the main employers of bodyguards.

What do people do in this occupation?
After receiving a brief from a client, the security firm conducts a threat assessment detailing particular individuals or groups that may wish to harm the client. This involves researching and intelligence gathering.

They then formulate an operational plan based on the risk factor for the operation.

Higher risk factors make it necessary to appoint more bodyguards to the security team.

Day to way work involves planning travel routes in advance, accompanying clients everywhere they go and in some cases driving them there.

An advance team of bodyguards secures destination buildings, business premises and the client's own home by clearing them of hostile surveillance equipment and checking all entrances and exits.
 
Close protection has its own set of equipment which includes body armour for the bodyguards, reinforced cars with bullet proof glass, automatic weapons modified to make them more concealable and manoeuvrable in tight spaces.

Bodyguards' equipment also includes communications equipment such as radios and a fully stocked medical kit.
 
What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
The job is high risk and bodyguards will undoubtedly face the threat of violence, especially if they work in high risk operations.

They must therefore be able to remain calm in a crisis and be able to improvise in the face of rapidly changing situations.

A bodyguard must have discretion in their business and personal affairs because client confidentiality is paramount.

Depending on their role within the security team bodyguards may be required to blend into a crowd and not be noticed, or stand out and provide a visual deterrent.

Hours can be long so bodyguards must have excellent powers of concentration and observation and remain vigilant during lengthy periods of inactivity.

Their vision and hearing must be excellent.

Since bodyguards work within a security team they must possess good communication skills and great team working skills.

If an attack on a client does take place, the bodyguard must be physically fit enough to deal with the situation.

Clients may undertake travel to foreign countries so bodyguards must be prepared to spend long periods away from home.

What qualifications are needed?
Many people coming into the close protection industry come from a security background such as the army or police force. Such people are ideal candidates because they are familiar with firearms, covert operations and strategic planning.

Though such security experience is useful, it is not a prerequisite and a civilian can study for a qualification in Close Protection.

Close protection training will contain elements such as route and venue reconnaissance, close quarters battle, offensive and defensive driving, use of weapons and first aid.