By: Doc Rogers
On larger and/or multi-principal international assignments, you may be requested to set up an operations center (OC). This is a hotel room with the beds removed and working tables and several folding chairs brought in. This room is not for sleeping or comfort; it’s the OC.
It should have computers, charts, briefing boards, maps from the area where the assignment is taking place, CNN Headline News for a source of continuous intelligence gathering, phones and radios for communicating with agents and security drivers in the field. This will give them a heads-up on any local situation or immediately pass along an important development as well as giving them an area to conduct tactical conferences.
Communication from the OC should be excellent to avoid any confusion or communication breakdowns. The personnel in the ops center need to have the ability to communicate with the agents and security drivers. OC personnel need to work together to resolve any problems and have an in-depth understanding of what is require by the agents in the field. The personnel should listen more than they talk to build good working relationships and should have the ability to work harmoniously with the EPU (executive protection unit) in the field.
OC personnel maintain chronological logs of the EPU’s movements, activities and locations to direct assistance to the EPU who are needing police, ambulance or fire rescue support. OC personnel also keep all delivered items for the principal (mail, packages, flowers, etc.) in the command center until they have been thoroughly checked for IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Nothing is given directly to the principal or delivered to the principal’s suite without first being checked and cleared by ops center personnel.
The OC should integrate a closed-circuit television system, using a series of TV minicams placed near the principal’s hotel suite and the elevators. The camera’s signal should be fed into the ops center. OC personnel assigned to monitor the TV screens should work in pairs. They should relieve each other regularly to prevent eye fatigue. They should pay strict attention to the screen and be aware of anything that might pose a potential threat. Normally, two persons on two twelve-hour shifts should man the ops center to provide continuous security support for all aspects of the assignment.
Keep safe out there and God Speed.
Doc Rogers is the author of the new book entitled: Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards. Step-by-step instructions on providing corporate executive protection for those new to the industry as well as veterans. Doc is the Director of Diplomatic Protection (DDP) for International Corporate Executive Protection. He is a Certified Protection Specialist and has a Ph.D in Security Administration. Prior to his appointment as DDP for International Corporate Executive Protection he was a former veteran police officer. Doc is widely regarded as the leading authority on Executive Protection In Southeast Asia and India. To learn more about the author and his new book visit: www.international-corporate-executive-protection.com
Peter,Cheers!
First of all, please give me your full name, first and last, the exact physical location of your company, language (s) you speak and your physical address has to be verifiable. After I receive all your information and it is accurate, I will help you with all legitimate inquiries you may have regarding International close protection.The following areas I can help you with: Anti-piracy training and procedures at high sea; Aircraft security; yacht security; evasive driving techniques left and right hand techniques;dealing with foreign police( the right and wrong way) and all matters dealing with International security issues in 220 countries and most Island groups in the world, for example the Seychelles Islands in the Indian ocean etc.
John,let me have your contact details
Mr. Doc Rodgers has good points to share with fellow colleagues.
I would like to add a few general comments and some particulars:When hiring someone for Executive Protection assignments one usually thinks of Ex-Secret Service graduates which seem obvious candidates, but they may be a little spoiled by having had so many resources. As for Veterans of elite military units, they may be bored to distraction. ” You tell me you were a Navy SEAL. Great I call you when I have a beach to storm.
Brains are more far more important than brawn.
You have to look like the people you protect. Your job is to keep the client away from trouble.
Other General knowledge is helpful: new construction security,Maritime Yacht security, Tactical driving, ( left and right side road), surveillance and counter-surveillance, electronic and human intelligence gathering methods and interpretation of data, foreign language abilities.
International protection and advances are vary complicated and require years of experience,e.g legal issues, how to deal with foreign police, anti-American feeling, religious beliefs.
More information is available…. I would be happy to help any fellow member who is planning a trip overseas.
I have traveled to 220 countries.
One of the add-on benefits to working with the hotel security director and staff on your advance, is that they can work the “inside” of their operation and get you your pick of hotel rooms to be used for this purpose. More often than not, we have found hotel security managers to be extremely cooperative and helpful, and if you are looking for a particular room with a particular view, or access to balconies or rooftops to run a portable repeater antenna, they can save you alot of time and trouble. They will also be the ones with the ‘elevator key’ that you’ll want to involve on movements. They can often help you get upgraded to a suite for the cost of a regular room…enabling you to set up your OC without bumping into each other coming/going from the bathroom. And…they can tell you who-else is staying in the property.
THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE CHANGING THE EXECUTIVE PROTECTION IMAGE WE SEE MOVIES OF SO-CALL BODY GUARDS WHO BY PASS THE ABOVE SECURING THE PRINCIPALS HOTEL,SUITE. THIER IS A LOT TO BE DONE IN MAKING SURE THAT YOUR PRINCIPAL IS SAFE.