COVID-19 and the Executive Protection

COVID-19 and the Executive Protection - Circuit Magazine -

source: https://circuit-magazine.com/covid-19-and-the-executive-protection/

“Well, that is going to- leave a mark”. The first time I heard that statement, I was watching a NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing) race.

The television commentator was referring to how close the participants were driving to each other and of the possibility of the racing automobiles bumping each other on the sides of the vehicles or the front or rear bumpers. In much the same way, this COVID-19 pandemic has definitely left “a mark” on our industry as a whole.

As practitioners, our responsibilities are many: protection of the client from physical harm, protection of the client from self-embarrassment, etc. Now, that the restrictions in the post COVID-19 era are starting to be lifted in some areas, Clients, and other high-net-worth individuals will be more aware of the area in which they are located, lodging, and traveling to.

Before the pandemic hit, it was a standard practice for a security detail to conduct a security briefing covering all security aspects of the detail. Be it an “A-list” celebrity, or a high-net worth executive, the detail had to establish a three-ring layer of security (outer, middle, and inner). With this level of security in place, the “P” had a protection level that was not easily penetrated.

Some of the updated major changes are a basic level of understanding for the general public/workforce. Having a understanding of the five “W’s “ ( Who, What, When Where, and How) will present a clear advantage of understanding how the post COVID-19 environment will evolve. Key considerations to reduce COVID-19 risks would be to have a concert/ venue scaled down, so that fewer people would be attending an event. Also, to pre-order sufficient supplies and materials, including tissues and hand sanitizers for all participants. To provide a health care number that participants (worker, fans, etc.) can call for advice or to give information to. And to display dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub prominently around the venue.

In the US, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has established guidelines for business and employers that shows recommendations to follow. Some of the updated strategies are:

Conduct daily health checks Conduct a health hazard assessment of the space (venue, hotel) Implementing policies and practices for social distancing in the venue/space.

Another organization to reference for the most up-to-date information on the post COVID-19 efforts is the World Health Organization. The WHO was the leading agency, that in January 2020 declared the outbreak go be a public health emergency of international concern. At some point, we will get pass this COVID-19 pandemic. But, what exactly will normal look like post Covid-19? Will there be a “new normal “ when the world finally defeats this virus?

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has published a guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19. Now, switching gears into the post COVID-19 realm our profession will forever be changed. With the numbers spiking across the Southern states, the U.S. has set a daily record for new COVID-19 cases since late April 2020.

For the protectors who run their own firms with staff, we are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace as well. We must determine what types of controls or PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) are needed for specific job duties. Be able to select and provide the appropriate PPE to the staff at no cost, and to train the staff on the correct use.

Encourage your agents to wear a face covering at work. It is recommended that by wearing a cloth face covering as a measure to contain the wearer’s respiratory droplets and help protect their co- workers and members of the general public. Wearing a cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Establish policies and practices for social distancing, such as the use of signs, tape marks, or other visual cues such as decals or colored tape on the floor, placed 6 feet apart, to indicate where to stand when physical barriers are not possible.

Our equipment, (personally and professionally) has to be updated with the latest gear to ensure protocols are in place. A protector’s medical bag has just expanded. Besides the standard medical equipment (bandages, tape, quick clot, tourniquet, etc.) The medical bag must now include:

A non-contact Infrared thermometer A supply of surgical/cloth masks.

As the CEO/Owner of my own firm, I understand the importance of our tasks as protectors in providing a safe and secure environment for our clients. Entering into the, “new normal,” we must now, more than ever, make sure that the health or both ourselves and our clients are being factored into the protective equation as we are dealing with an invisible attacker.

COVID-19 and the Executive Protection/Secured Transportation Profession By Carlton D Smith PPS, PSD, CPO

Carlton D Smith PPS, PSD, CPO is an executive protection specialist and a law enforcement officer in a major metropolitan area. You can contact him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlton-smith28519b34

The post COVID-19 and the Executive Protection appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics

If you plan on working internationally in the close protection or security industry you will be expected to some degree to know how to handle firearms. Now, to get things straight to start with, what most people, especially Americans, don’t realize is that most non-government close protection jobs are unarmed due to the legal restrictions on firearms in most countries. Part of your threat assessment for any assignment needs to include the laws on the use of force and what if any weapons are legal in the locations you are going to be working in. Being caught with an illegal weapon, especially a firearm will get you thrown in jail very quickly, no matter how important you think you are! So, what do you need to know about firearms if you are looking to work internationally in the close protection and security industry, well the first and most important thing is knowing how to use firearms safely. To become proficient with firearms, like everything else takes practice and time, you’re not going to become and expert after a few hours’ tuition. Many firearms related accidents happen because those handing the firearms are not complying with the basic firearms safety rules of keep the firearms pointed in a safe direction and keeping their fingers off the guns trigger. If you ensure you always follow these two safety rules, you will be acting more responsibly than many others who are working with and carrying firearms. Remember, if you’re the one holding and in control of a firearm that accidentally discharges and injures or kills someone you will be held responsible. A thorough understanding of firearms and range safety is essential before you even start any shooting with live ammunition. Here is a more complete list of firearms safety rules and considerations. WEAPON SAFETY DEPENDS ON KNOWING YOUR WEAPON, CONFIDENCE, ALERTNESS Safety considerations for firearms must always be followed Always keep firearms pointed in a safe direction, especially when loading and unloading. Keep your finger off the trigger until the weapon is pointed at your target. If the action or slide on the weapon is closed, always treat the gun as if loaded and carry out the unload drills. Always show that a firearm is unloaded to a person before you hand it to them. When someone hands you a firearm, always check the chamber and make sure it is unloaded. Never take a person’s word for whether a firearm is loaded or unloaded, always check! Never point a firearm at anyone just for fun or play games with firearms. Always know what is behind your target and have a good backstop. Only fire-controlled shots. You can rapid fire but make sure you are hitting your target. Always practice tactical drills with unloaded firearms until you’re confident and competent enough to use live ammunition. Always unload firearms before dry-fire tactical training. Only use dummy ammunition or blank-firing firearms for demonstrations or dry-fire drills. Never mix blank, dummy, and live rounds. Always check that the gun is unloaded before cleaning. Never tamper with ammunition, and only use reloads from reliable sources. Never use damaged rounds, and always dispose of them safely. Keep guns and ammunition in secure storage when not in use. If you do not know how to operate or are having problems operating a firearm, get professional help. Never used drugs or alcohol when using firearms. Always check and comply with local firearms law Types of Firearms You should try to train with and get to know as many different types of firearms as possible as you never know what you will come across. You might be working unarmed on an assignment in a hostile environment but you need to know how to use the firearms you might encounter in that environment incase things go bad, say your hotel is attacked, and you might have to use the firearms of the local security, police, military and bad guys or make them safe after an incident. Pistols: The two main classification for pistols are semi-automatic and revolver. Sadly, most people these days tend to only train with semi-auto safe action guns such as Glock and S&W M&P’s etc. You need to know how to safely use revolvers, single and double action semi-autos, single action semi-autos and at least be familiar with derringers and sub-compact pocket pistols. Shotguns: I have heard quite a few supposed close protection experts, usually from police backgrounds dismiss the requirements for shotgun training. The reason for this I believe, is in their limited experience within a government agency they have never had the opportunity to use shotguns or travel to locations where they are used. I have personally working in Europe, South & West Africa, Middle East, US, Caribbean, Latin America and have come across shotguns being used in for security details in all of those locations. I would say shotguns are the most widely used firearm used for legal security purposes globally. Shotguns come in various configurations and you should at least understand break action, pump, semi-auto shotguns and the various types of ammunition and chocks. Assault Rifles: Even though most of the tacticool firearms training videos on the internet put an emphasis of training with AR-15’s and AK-47’s in reality there are not many places you can legally use them for security purposes unless you are in the military, on a government related assignment or working illegally. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the laws were put in place for security guards to carry assault rifles, but in most places if you are lucky enough to legally have firearms there is a greater change of it being a shotgun or a pistol rather than an AK etc. Sporting Rifles: In a lot of countries semi-auto firearms are banned or very restricted and the only legal firearms available will be sporting shotguns and leaver or bolt-action rifles. The only time most tacticool operators will consider learning how to use a bolt-action rifle would be if it was a tricked-out sniper rifle… Well, I am sorry if I offend any tacticool operators reading this but all hunting rifles, even with wood stocks, can be used as sniper rifles and for tactical applications. If someone is trained how to shoot properly, understands individual tactics and is armed with a decent leaver or bolt action .22 rifle, I would class them as far more value than the tacticool shemagh wearing operator who uses optics on their tricked-out AR-15 to hit paper targets at 15 meters… Other Firearms: Depending on where you are planning to work depends on the types of firearms you could encounter; in hostile environments you may need to have the rudimentary knowledge of how to operate belt-fed machine guns. Or, if you’re in an area where hunting is popular it might make sense to learn a little bit about black powder rifles and pistols, which in some places have a lot less restrictions on them than cartridge firing firearms. Tactical Firearms Training I have my own views of firearms training and the state of the firearms training industry but will try to keep them to myself as much as I can for the sake of this article. My basic advice to anyone looking at attending any firearms training courses would be is the course relevant and is the instructor experienced enough to teach it. The best place to get a good grounding in firearms training is in the military as you should be given thorough training, the bullets will be free, and you will also be getting paid for your time. There is no way you can replicate a few years military firearms training experience by taking a two-week tactical firearms course. One issues with those who have only had regular military training is that they are only used to dealing with a limited range of firearms. Personally, I only really started to learn and use handguns other than a Browning Hi-Power after I left the British Army and worked in South Africa, Eastern Europe and then joined a gun club in UK before handguns were banned. You must ensure the training you will be getting is relevant for what your going to be doing and is of a good standard. In the U.S. the general standard for training is what’s put out by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Most people don’t realize when taking a training course from an NRA instructor that it only takes one-day to become and NRA instructor or Range Safety officer. In the United States, it’s easy for a novice shooter to become an NRA firearms instructor, as I said it’s a one-day course, SERIOUSLY! With another one-day course they can become a Range Safety Officer, and after that with another one-day course a Chief Range Safety Officer able to certify Range Safety Officers… All without any experience of ever running a firearms course or any experience of actually working on a shooting range… I have come across NRA instructors who could not field strip their own firearms, Chief Range Safety Officers who had never used revolvers or shotguns. From their certifications you would expect them to be experienced professionals! Well, think again… You cannot gain the experience required to be a decent RSO or instructor by just attending a few theory classes, watch tacticool YouTube videos and belonging to Gung-ho online chat forums. The schools issuing these NRA certifications are making money, it’s business, but how many of their students then go on to market themselves as “firearms experts” after just a few one-day classes? I think this can be classed as fraudulent in anyone’s books. It’s just like taking a first-time driver, giving them a two- or three-day theory on how to drive, showing them a car, starting the engine and then certifying them to set up a driving school… Scary, right? Always verify the real-world experience of the instructors who you’re intending to pay good money for quality training. Firearms training can be very expensive so ensure you’re not wasting your money and understand that after just a few days training you’re not going to be at a professional level, whatever your certificates say! Ongoing dry and live firearms training and weapons familiarization is essential if your serious about working in hostile environments but learn to differentiate the difference between tacticool holidays and experiences and relevant training! Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics The post Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

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