I have spoken to some huge guys who said they were close protection officers, and they told me that if something happened they would easily be able to stop it! The one thing that both clients and people new to the industry forget is that close protection is about spotting potential problems before they happen and getting the principal away from the threat. The “I can stop trouble when it happens” train of thought most likely comes from working on the doors for years, where that’s exactly what you have to do.

I have seen people who use close protection services surround themselves with the biggest guys they can find, but big doesn’t necessarily equal safe. If you choose to have this style of security, be aware that wherever you go, everyone will know where you are and how many security officers you have.

Regardless of what guys you have in your security team, just make sure they are suitable for the position. A good test is to ask prospective security officers what their definition of close protection is. If they answer “to stop trouble” or “to keep the principal safe” then there’s a chance they don’t really understand what close protection is really about.

I have worked with many close protection officers who have been ex-military, and they have been some of the top guys I have worked with, but if you do require close protection, do you really require ex-military personnel?

If we are talking about security details in hostile environments, then 99% of the time you have to come from an ex-military background to get these positions. But for the sake of this article, we are talking about working in a London security team.

Just because someone has been in the army, it doesn’t automatically qualify them to work in the close protection field and it certainly doesn’t make them security experts. Ex-military personnel do have skills that security officers form a “civvy” background might not, but do you really need those skills for your London secuirity?

Some ex-military personnel are lucky enough to have completed extensive courses on close protection whist serving, but most haven’t. People leave the armed forces every day, complete the same SIA close protection courses that everyone else does, and that’s it.

Personally, when I’m putting a CP team together, I don’t over look anyone who has the relative experience for the job in hand. It doesn’t matter that some close protection officers might be ex-military and some might not. What matters is that the close protection officers know how to do their job so that their principal can go about their business in a safe environment to the perceived level of threat.

Most training companies today are happy to take anyone’s money, teach them the very basics and then show them the door. As such, the security industry today is flooded with personnel who have no experience and generally no skill. This has had a knock on effect to the industry as a whole. Whereas the Close Protection industry was a once specialized area that you could only crack with hard work, it’s now open to anyone who can pay £1500 for a course. Looking in from the outside, my years of experience means nothing as I now have the same licence as the shelf-stacker from Tesco who fancied being a bodyguard, did a course and got a licence.

So what has this done to the industry? The person who has just obtained his licence now need some experience. I have personally seen people offer their services to companies for free to get this experience. Some companies see this as an opportunity to create more profit, so they are happy to supply less-experienced security officers on tasks that may require a more suitable person. Once again, it’s the client who pays the price at the end of the day.

With the influx of people into every licensing sector, the security industry standard has dropped significantly.

It Starts With The Training Providers

As security training providers, it is possible that we can do our part to raise the standard of security officers. I offer a Close Protection Course, but I select every person who attends. My goal is to be able to say that I would work with every single person that attends my course. Selection is not a difficult process, just an informal chat about your expectations for your close protection career, what you have done to prepare and a few other simple questions. But if I feel you are not ready, then I’ll tell you. We do tell people what they can do to better prepare but they are more than welcome to use a different training provider if they wish. People who do attend my course will find it both physically and mentally challenging.

People who work in Close Protection need to be fit. They need to be able to communicate in English. They need to be able to work on their own and they have to be dedicated to what they are doing.

Security Training Is A Business

There are many people who make a living from the security training business, but since the introduction of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), sadly it has been to the detriment of the security industry.

If you are a person serious about Close Protection Training, make sure you get the very best training you can afford. Ensure that your instructor has at least got some real-world experience. Visit the many different security forums and ask questions about training providers. If you use the search facility you will find hundreds of posts on the subject of Close Protection Training. There  are some great courses available for between £1,400 – £2,000.

So Is Selection Really Necessary?

I think so for two main reasons.

1. It raises the level of Close Protection Officers entering the field.

2. For our course, it ensures everyone is 100% dedicated to the training and knows where they are going and what they want. As we offer a residential course they will live and breath close protection for two weeks. This ensures everyone gets the most from their training.

The bottom line is that it would be an uphill struggle to make any changes to the security industry as it is at the moment … But nothing is impossible! One step at a time, one training provider at a time.

The SIA (Security Industry Authority) is a UK Government body that was started in 2004 to oversee the security industry. The SIA have two main purposes, one of which is to licence security officers. This is done by sector and being a Close Protection Officer is subject to this requirement.

To gain a licence to work in Close Protection you are required to complete 14 day Close Protection Course and hold a First Aid At Work qualification. At the end of the course you will have to take and pass an exam in order to apply for your Close Protection Licence. Subject to your application being approved, you will then get you SIA Close Protection Licence. Close Protection courses are a minimum of 150 hours and cover core competencies as set out by the SIA.

Since the introduction of Close Protection licences, there have been a large number of training providers springing up all over the place. With courses costing in the region of £1500, the CP training arena has become a crowded market place.

Personally, I strongly believe that if someone is going to teach me something, then I at least want them to have first-hand experience in what they are teaching. How could someone teach a Close Protection Course having never worked in close protection? Well unfortunately it happens on a regular basis.

As a Security Operations and Training Company, Capitol Risk has now put together a fully comprehensive SIA Close Protection Training Course.

As an operational security company who offer professional security training, we are in an ideal position to teach you exactly what you need to know to work in Close Protection.

We have put together a FULLY RESIDENTIAL 14 day Close Protection training course in Spain. We have made this course residential in order to provide you with the very best learning experience.  Our Close Protection Course also INCLUDES the First Aid at Work (FAAW) qualification (usually £200) AND incorporates our Krav Maga for Close Protection course which usually costs £297 but we have included FREE on this course.

WARNING: You Will Work Hard On This Course

The Capitol Risk Close Protection Course goes above and beyond the SIA core competencies.

Included in the cost of this course are:

• Return Flights from Stansted Airport
• Transfers in Spain
• Insurance
• High Standard Accommodation
• 3 Fully Prepared Meals Per Day (Spain Only)
• All Training Materials
• First Aid At Work Course (Usually £200)
• Krav Maga for Close Protection Course (Usually £297)

But that’s not all…

On our Close Protection course we do actually talk to you about creating CV’s and applying for work. We want to help point you in the right direction once you have your Close Protection licence, so we have put together a COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES PACK to help you in your Close Protection career. As far as we know, we are the only security training company to offer you this. Our resources pack contains:

• List of over 200 security companies with web site links
• Ebook on how to create  professional CV’s
• Ebook on how to create professional cover letters
• Professional CV templates
• HUGE selection of security form templates that we have used when planning operations
• Colour head shot and full length body shot

Our students are always welcome to call us if they need help or advice after their course.

As per SIA requirements, your exam will be taken in the UK on the final day of your course at a recognized training facility. The awarding body for this exam is Edxcel.

The cost for this course is £1650inc

If you hold a valid SIA licence or are entitled to our 10% discount, the price for this course drops to just £1485inc

Professional Security Training By Professional Security Operators

As security operators and trainers, we see things from both sides, which is why we believe in bring you outstanding training at a sensible cost. We let out training do the talking by keeping our costs low while not holding back on the things necessary to give you the very best learning experience.

Honesty, Integrity and Loyalty

Our core security business is built on the foundation of Honesty, Integrity and Loyalty. We want you to be sure that our close protection course is the right one for you and that it is the right time for you to do it. We will not talk you into completing our course. We will not lie to you about our courses. We will do everything we can to help you along the way if you choose to train with us.

We treat you the same way we would like to be treated ourselves.

For more information, please call us on +44 (0)5601 56 8485 or email us at training@capitolrisk.co.uk

Being approached in the street and occasionally mobbed by fans is all part of the celebrity lifestyle.

We have been trusted by an internationally recognised brand to ensure their celebrity clients have been safe. This has included working with artist management and the Police.

On occasion we have had to deal with serious stalking incidents. Working with intelligence from both the Police and Artist Management, we have been able to intercept the threat and ensure the principal was kept away from  the area while going about their everyday business uninterrupted.

A portfolio of previous work is available on request.

If you require Close Protection for your client, security for a celebrity event or residential security for your client either while they are in residence or away, please call and speak to us first.

E: contact @ capitolrisk.co.uk

Someone who protects someone?

Someone who protects someone important?

A person who is responsible for the safety of another person?

Well yes … But being a Close Protection Officer (CPO) or Bodyguard is far more than just  protecting someone. This is especially so when working with principals who have a public image to maintain.

The Capitol Risk definition of a Close Protection Officer or Bodyguard is …

Someone who creates a safe environment where the person we are charged with looking after can live as normal life as possible pertaining to the perceived level of threat.

All of our Close protection Officers understand that close protection is more than just protecting someone.

Please view our gallery to see  some of the people we have provided Close Protection services to.

Our Close Protection Service is  available worldwide.

If you require this service, please contact us at:

contact @ capitolrisk.co.uk