Close Protection Definition

When you hear the term Close Protection you're likely thinking of bodyguarding and you're not wrong, but what exactly is Close Protection? Let's find out.

What Is Close Protection?

Close Protection at it's core, Means supplying personal security. Close Protection is carried out by Close Protection Officers (CPO's) either as individuals or teams. You may also call them Bodyguards.

Close Protection is provided to persons who may be at risk of harm or harassment. The goal of Close Protection as a service and the operatives that possess the skills to carry it out is to prevent injury, damage, or death of a client.

Close Protection Clients may be Royalty, High net worth individuals, Celebrities & CEO's.

The Roles and Responsibilities of the Close Protection Operative

The Roles and Responsibilities of the Close Protection Operative are varied to say the least. The first quality that a Close Protection Operative absolutely must possess is situational awareness. We actually teach situational awareness to our students that train to become Bodyguards on our close protection courses.

Situational awareness for a Close Protection Operative means to foresee potential threats. Close Protection Officers must keep an eye out for tells such as odd body language & peculiar behaviour. Threats can form in a number of ways depending on location & scenario so they must always be aware.

Bodyguards must have the ability to react, fast. Through situational awareness Close Protection Operatives are able to tell the signs of a threat enabling them to react quickly to diffuse potential threats that may be heading their clients way. Ideally, Close Protection Operatives will diffuse a "situation" before anything happens.

This leads us on to our next role & responsibility of the Close Protection Operative, Fitness. CPO's need to be both physical and mentally fit to maintain alertness, react fast and communicate effectively. Many Close Protection Operatives physically fit and their physical fitness may be assessed by their close protection agency.

We always ensure students training on our courses meet basic fitness standards. Before successfully competing close protection training to become a Close Protection Operative, Sextant Group students must pass the fitness test before passing their close protection training.

What Makes a Good Close Protection Operative

Good Close Protection Operatives are well trained, experienced and placed in fitting roles. They have a mixed bag of intertwined skills that enable them to perform their job at the highest level ensuring clients are safe at all times.

Great Close Protection Operatives are expert communicators, often working in teams meaning they are required to work together harmoniously. CPO's also spend countless hours around their principal, For these reasons communication is a must when providing close protection services.

Spending countless hours with their principal, discretion is expected at all times. Close Protection Operatives are privy to private details. Principals must be afforded the up-most confidentiality.

Lastly, Reliability. A Good Close Protection Operative must be reliable, It's their responsibility to follow times, dates and instructions from the client. Being a reliable CPO is essential for the success of their own career as well as the wider success of the close protection agency.

Become a Close Protection Operative

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