Executive protection basically means providing security for individuals. Executive protection jobs are also referred to as close protection and bodyguard work. The clients for executive protection jobs are typically people who believe that they need security due to risk they are facing.
This is a common field Private Investigators find themselves working in.
However, most of the protection work available is provided by specialized executive protection companies or private military contractors.
Specialized protection companies will have staff that have specific training in protecting individuals and security. This is the type of training that military or police would receive and can utilize in the private world. This type of training will typically be used to provide protection for corporate employees in countries and regions with elevated dangerous to high status foreigners, or even high-status citizens. This executive protection service can even be provided to government staff, such as diplomats.
Close protection is not a large part of the Private Investigator industry; however, Private Investigators do fit in this industry by providing small scale executive protection, usually where their agency is based out of. Furthermore, Private Investigators will use their investigative skills to provide the protection. These skills can be things such as,
Covert on-foot surveillance
Mobile vehicle surveillance
Security and threat assessments
Pattern recognition
Labour disputes
Covert On-foot Surveillance
The Private Investigator will protect the client (principal) on foot in a covert fashion. It will appear that they client is unprotected. However, the covert operative will be close by to provide physical protection while evaluating possible threats. This type of executive protection can be utilized with overt bodyguards protecting the client at a very close proximity.
Mobile Vehicle Surveillance
Mobile vehicle surveillance is used to directly protect principals; however, in the PI industry it is more common to provide 24hr surveillance on individuals that are known to be a possible threat to the client. This is done for a determined length of time until the individual is believed to no longer pose a threat to the principal or principals.
Background Investigations
The PI will perform a Cyber Background Check Investigation on the principal and individuals deemed to be threats to the principal. The intel gained can be used to mitigate the risk and shape executive protection operations.
Security and Threat Assessments
A capable Private Investigator is skilled at evaluating investigative opportunities at various locations. The same skill set can be utilized to evaluate possible security issues with different locations.
Pattern Recognition
Skilled Private Investigators are excellent at identifying human patterns in everyday life. A Private Investigator with experience will be able to determine what does not fit right with normal human behavior. This skill is valuable when offering protection around populated areas.
Labour Disputes
This is actually a common job assignment for Private Investigators. It typically involves covertly protecting business locations involved in a labour dispute. This is usually done in-conjunction with overt security guards. Much of what was discussed above can be used to offer protection in labour disputes.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years of providing protection services in Vancouver as a BC Private Investigator. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting investigations and security operations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of numerous investigative & security training programs in various capacities. Throughout his career, Peter has worked numerous protection files.