Executive's Guide to Personal Security, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 10Executive Protection

THERE IS A BIG (AND COMMON) misconception when it comes to executive protection. Most people think the best way to enhance personal security is to hire an extremely large and intimidating individual or individuals to accompany them wherever they go. This fundamental error in understanding the actual role of the protective specialist is responsible for a disappointed client base, numerous excessive‐force lawsuits, public relations disasters, and even the death of celebrities and high‐profile executives. The value of an effective executive protection professional (EPP) lies in his or her knowledge rather than the amount of muscle they carry. EPPs need to know how to conduct risk assessments, put a plan together, and prepare contingency plans for a number of different scenarios. EPPs must be able to blend into the executive's milieu to ensure his or her safety and to minimize the impact of a security detail on the executive's daily life. We have personally trained hundreds of protective specialists guarding chief executives, celebrities, and political figures, and here we share the first lesson we teach to individuals seeking to fill this role: We are not bouncers, nor are we bodyguards. We are professional protection specialists.

What is the difference between a bodyguard and a protection specialist? A bodyguard lacks professionalism, training, and the ability to plan, and cannot provide a fully integrated approach to the client's well‐being. A ...