Close protection and private security London services are a specialised response to the increasing amounts of crime being perpetrated and experienced by those members of the public who work in, or visit, high crime areas. These specially trained professionals are specialist members of an organisation who have been trained to work in the face of potentially dangerous situations. They have access to specialist equipment which can help stop a situation from escalating.
Close protection officers are subject to strict disciplinary measures when it comes to the use of force, and must abide by a code of discipline. Close protection officers may also be given an alternative to the use of force as part of their training and may be involved in providing voluntary services. It is important to remember that the use of force must always be the last resort. The majority of people who become victims of crime do so unintentionally. Close protection officers are there to prevent crime happening to them and to help them get through their day-to-day lives without the stress of worrying about crime going into their homes.
In the UK, a professionally trained close protection officer should complete the relevant Home Office license required. The license covers a number of skills, including working in volatile circumstances, such as in prisons, and is a form of compulsory training. This training is normally provided by an approved private security provider. The licensing process will ensure that close protection officers have undergone a structured level of training which has been approved by the Home Office. To be eligible to apply for a license, close protection officers must demonstrate a high standard of personal hygiene, physical fitness, and responsibility. Before completing the license process, close protection officers must successfully complete a five-hour course in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
When becoming a close protection officer, you will have a role which is not as easy as it sounds. Close protection units require a high level of skill to ensure the safety and protection of those they are charged with protecting. Close protection officers have to take risks to safeguard their clients, and must be able to think quickly and act swiftly if a situation develops. Close protection officers are also responsible for ensuring their client’s personal safety and wellbeing. Often this involves liaising with the police and the health service in an attempt to keep the individual safe and alert.
Close protection officers are usually hired from a large security firm, or via a contract with the Home Office. The majority of contracts hire close protection officers on a temporary basis, such as a trade fair. This allows the close protection officers to put their experience to work while setting up and maintaining a successful booth at the event. Most contracts may also allow the contract hirers the right to set the terms on their agreement, such as how long the contract is for and what happens if the original contract ends. This is very useful for those who want to set up a business and wish to know the level of service they will receive, as well as for those who want to leave the company at some point.
Close protection officers can operate in a number of different environments, providing security to corporate and private clients at events, conferences, exhibitions and trade shows, as well as providing a range of other tasks including skip tracing, recovery and skip raiding during bank robbery attempts. Close protection officers may also patrol specific commercial sites or locations to protect against any potential threat to these sites or staff members, and may even go undercover to collect intelligence on a particular target. As well as acting as security for these individuals and businesses, close protection officers may also act as a liaison between the public and these businesses and their staff, liaising between them on various matters including security details and where they should park and stand, and what is acceptable and not acceptable while being searched.
