What Does A Close Protection Officer Do And How Do I Become One?

A career as a professional close protection officer for VIPs may sound like a dream job since it gives you the opportunity of meeting high-profile people and travel, and it also pays well. However, finding employment as a professional bodyguard can be challenging and requires excellent skills and special training.

If you wish to become a professional bodyguard, we suggest you first find employment as an armed guard in a different field. Having a little experience in security will look good on your profile if you apply for a bodyguard job. But that is not enough. You will also need specialized training and skills to do the job right.

A personal protection school can help you acquire all the skills you need to become a close protection officer. Of course, you will need some physical resistance and strength, but you will also need to learn a few things before you can provide professional bodyguard services to high-profile clients.

A Close Protection Officer's Job Description

The key responsibility of a close protection officer is to ensure their client's safety. They assess threats, monitor security systems, and plan special events and daily activities. A professional bodyguard may also do some background checks on individuals who come in contact with the client or check vehicles for bombs, devices, or any other threats.

The job of a professional bodyguard can be very complex, especially when you must prepare for a special event or if there is a direct threat to your client. Suppose you wish to perform well as a professional bodyguard and keep your client and yourself safe. In that case, you must have excellent observation skills, stay calm under stressful situations, and react fast when needed. Depending on the security company that employs you, you may have to take stress tests and attend training now and then. Personal protection officers are often hired to protect high-ranking government officials, top executives at big companies, state witnesses, and celebrities.

Bodyguard Training

If you want to have a successful career as a close protection officer, you must enroll yourself on a bodyguard school. Such organizations can help you learn all the skills needed to become a professional bodyguard. These skills include:

• Firearms tactics
• Tactical driving
• Unarmed combat
• Crowd screening
• First aid
• Search for explosives or bugs

Depending on the position you hope to get, you may also need some other skills. You can find several courses available via private institutions, but it's best to carefully choose your teacher and ensure they are trained and have some experience in the field.

Your overall course duration can vary anywhere from 2 to 200 hours, depending on the total number of topics they cover. You need to look at the program's structure before you finalize anything. Several programs also offer you coaching and mentoring services.

With the help of professionals, you can quickly learn and sharpen all the skills you need to keep your client out of harm's way. So, if you want to be a successful bodyguard, ensure you acquire the proper training for the job.

EPI developed executive protection training. We’ve been perfecting it ever since. With the latest methods, technologies, and best instructors to give you an edge in this ever-changing field.