Drivers & Bodyguards… Why I don’t trust many of them!!
The quality of bodyguards and trained security drivers can vary greatly and in most places the standards are low. I have seen many clients over the years being driven around and protected by guys who just happen to have a firearms permits or are moonlighting local police, who for all these clients know are working for the criminals also.
I have little faith in the security or private investigator licensing system’s as the standards are usually set ridiculously low. From what I am hearing, the SIA courses in UK have evolved for most part into government funded back to work courses for the unemployed. In the US things are not much better, I know for a fact there are many licensed PI’s in the State of Florida claiming to be “licensed executive protection specialist”, but there is no requirement for CP/EP training for the PI license and such training or experience can not be used as relevant experience to qualify for the license… So, don’t be surprised if the licensed professional you hired has no fucking clue what they are doing apart from being tacticool!
I tell my clients to always check the experience and references of the companies they are using and the personnel they are supplying. Many of the large guarding companies have good portfolios but many times the people providing their services are not the best trained, motivated or paid individuals… You might be paying top dollar but after the job has been sub-contacted by those you thought you were hiring your bodyguard 30% of the original fee. Always do your due-diligence, I have heard plenty of horror stories over the years and below is one of the more tamer and politically correct ones….!
Several years ago I went with two American clients to an island in the Caribbean where the crime and kidnapping rates were high. My clients were dealing with a European company on the island that were to provide them with security but they want me to go along as they were not getting a positive feeling from the trip and arrangements. So, I arrange extra trusted local armed security personnel and an armored vehicle to accompany us.
The population of the island is predominantly of African descent so my clients and I had no real chance of blending in. My business partner met us with our local security guys inside of the airport, as there is always a high risk when leaving airports because you are being channeled. We then went to look for the security personnel who had come to pick up my clients from the European company they were dealing with. This companies bodyguard was easy to spot as he was the only white guy outside of the airport holding a sign with mine and my client’s names on. At this stage the bodyguard did not know I was providing security for my clients, as we going to his vehicle I informed him that I had my own local security personnel who would be following us back to our hotel. As we drove through the city my guys in a black SUV drove very aggressively and stayed close to our vehicle. When we got to our hotel the bodyguard told us to stay in the car as he thought we were being followed and was going to check the car out behind us; we were being followed, by my security people, he had not been listening when I informed him of this.
This bodyguard who I know must have done at least five years’ European military service and I expect at least one specialist training course made two very big mistakes that could have led to serious problems. One, he stood out at the airport and by having mine and my client’s full names on a piece of paper was letting everyone know who we were. If a criminal with an internet capable cell phone had Googled my clients names they would have seen, they were worth kidnapping. Two, why did he wait until we got back to our hotel to check out my security guy’s car that was following us. If he thought they were a threat he should have asked us if we knew them, taken evasive action or stayed mobile and called for support; which this company claimed to have on standby. If my guys had been criminals this bodyguard had just taken them to our place of residence. I still don’t know what he was going to achieve by going and checking my guys out at the hotel as he had no authority to stop and question anyone, he was also carrying a firearm which he could not really legally have a permit to carry.
This is a good example of supposedly trained security personnel not knowing or caring about what they are doing. I expect they had not had any problems or though no one would target them and had relaxed to a point of being ineffective, this happens if security teams are not well managed. The other funny thing was as we were leaving our hotel to go to my client’s first meeting with this company the car they supplied got a flat tire and it had no break down kit. So, we transferred everyone to my local guy’s vehicle and left the driver to deal with the flat. We let the bodyguard sit in the front as we felt sorry for him; he was not having a good day!
If you are going to use local drivers and security personnel try to get them some training or at least go through your basic emergency plans with them. If you are under a threat, let them know that the threat also applies to them and their families. Make sure they take the relevant security measures and are always vigilant for the threat of criminal surveillance. Your driver should never stand outside the vehicle when you approach it, have a safety signal with them and do not approach the vehicle until they give the signal. The driver should always be behind the wheel with the engine running and ready to make a quick escape in the case of an emergency. On arrival at your destination the driver should remain behind the wheel of the vehicle; it would be the job of the bodyguard to open your door, if required. You should always know where the driver is and how to contact them. If the driver is not 100% trusted only inform them of routes or destinations just before or after the journey has started and do not give them any long term schedules.
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Books on Amazon
Close Protection: Luxury & Hostile Environments
This book is relevant for bodyguards, investigators & those working in hostile environments.
Kindle @ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CNSKXJF
Paper Back @ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1980900388
