By: John S. Negus

As the Assistant Executive Director of EPI, I find myself answering this question quite frequently. I am publishing my reply in the hopes that others may learn as well. This question is in regards to the Personal Protection Specialist Credential with Firearms Endorsement that student’s are able to obtain upon completion of our 7 Day Program.

“I need to know if this will allow me to travel with my client and be armed all the time.  Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated. ”

Here is an answer to the above question.

Throughout the US, Security and Handgun Licensing Laws are managed by each state.  As a result of this, if you wanted to be armed in any state you travel and work in, you would have to be licensed with all the requisite firearms + security training and a Handgun License and Security License in each state. Each state has its own course that you would have to take.  They don’t as a general rule; accept any other course from another state.

Even as a Retired New York City Police Sergeant, under Federal law, I can carry a firearm for my own protection in other states as long as I comply with yearly training and a couple of other admin details with exceptions.

BUT, I cannot work a Security detail without obtaining the State Security License I am working in and if I need to be armed for WORK, I need to comply with that states licensing rules for work firearms.

There are some exceptions in some cases to the personal carry laws in some states. For instance, if you obtain a Florida Carry License, it’s good in about 28 other states.  Not New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.  Check with Florida on details.

Something else you should consider.  I have found over my 30+ years of working protection both Governmental and Private, it’s not really about the Firearm in Personal Protection domestically within the United States.  By conducting a Threat Assessment or having someone assist you with this, you flesh out any threats or other factors that might impact your client and you then plan a strategy, utilize methods, procedures and countermeasures to minimize exposure and always have backup and alternate plans to avoid, avert and dissuade any possible issue.
The standard basic plan in the event of any situation is usually Cover and Evacuate.

Protective strategies utilize “Concentric Rings of Protection”.  Sort of like an Onion.  By setting up these countermeasures, such as rings of screeners, it lets the Security Professional create zones or layers of security where anyone coming in close proximity to the client, has been scrutinized or screened by more than a few people looking for things out of place or any disturbing behaviors that can be interceded before they get close to the client.
In effect, it’s an early warning system which after being notified lets you move them out of range of any incident in general.

If the situation appears that it’s a higher threat, I usually hire Armed Retired LEO’s (Law Enforcement Officers) who are licensed in the state you’re in and use them in the middle or outer perimeter as Screeners and liaison to local law enforcement in the unlikely event of an incident.  That way, you as the close protection agent, can cover and evacuate, keeping the client away from any part of the incident and they’re not in the next morning’s news paper or TV.  Low key is the best method.

Besides the EP Training company EPI,  we are a full service security company based in New York City with over 500 personnel of which we have over 80 Retired LEO’s that are specially trained and just do High End Special Events, Executive Protection, Secure Transportation or Event Planning.  In addition, we work throughout the US and in Foreign Countries.

5 Shocking Things About the Trayvon Martin Case

By Mark “Six” James  CPO, EPS

There has been a lot of discussion about multiple topics surrounding the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman case. In my humble opinion most of it is off base and people have attempted to connect issues which I feel are unrelated and only choose to cloud the issue.

Whenever you talk 2nd Amendment people start to draw a line in the sand.  If you bring race into the topic one side or the other stops listening. If a white man kills a black teen emotions are high. If a black man kills a white teen emotions are high. Kids dying get all of us supercharged.

Let me try and disconnect some of the connections which have been made so far.  In my mind, HERE ARE 5 THINGS this case is not about:

•              2nd Amendment – this is not about the right to Keep and Bear Arms. I wish people would please stop trying to make it be.

•              Race – as I said above kids dying gets everyone upset, regardless of nationality, gender or socioeconomic status.

•              Self-Defense and Deadly force are related but not the same. You can use force to defend yourself but all self-defense actions don’t grant you the ability to use deadly force.

•              Castle Doctrine – a person has no duty to retreat when their home is attacked.  Neither party was attempting to protect their dwelling.

•              Stand your Ground – a person may use deadly force without the obligation to retreat. I don’t think anyone should have to retreat to protect themselves from severe bodily harm or death. History has shown the sequence of events often move faster than the law abiding citizens could retreat to a safe place.

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By Doc Rogers

Here is a simple and short 3-part checklist to keep in mind if you want to make it “big” in the business:

Before all bodyguard assignments:

•    Be clean-cut and presentable.
•    Have a good comfort level.
•    Maintain professional posture, demeanor and gestures.
•    Visualize only positive things you want to happen, but plan for the worst.
•     Mentally rehearse and keep your objectives clearly in mind.

During all bodyguard assignments:

•    Think before you speak to the client.
•    Listen to the client with respect.
•    Make the client feel as if they are the only one who matters to you.
•    Stay firmly on the path of providing professional protection to your client.
•    Be a well-organized and hardworking.

After all bodyguard assignments:

•    Be willing to pay and price, go any distance, to achieve your bodyguard career goals.
•    Learn from your mistakes and don’t let unexpected challenges throw you off course.
•    Program yourself to think positively, devise your career strategies and take action.
•    Invest in your education and professional development.
•    Knowledge must be achieved through hardwork.
•    Stay humble and listen to those who have walked the path before you.
•    Keep at it and never quit; don’t lose faith – get a grip and keep instep.

These simple tips have served me well for over 20 years in the trade. If you stay firmly on the path, keep true to yourself, never tire, never rest and never give up, you will surely make it big in the bodyguard trade. All the best and God speed.

http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707

http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927
http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

By Doc Rogers

Here are a few tips for making 2012 a success both personally and professionally.

Help Others. Bodyguard Careers, the President; Harlan “Hucky” Austin and I feel it’s an honor and a pleasure to help others in the industry. It always makes us feel good to know that we are providing solid information to improve the personal and professional lives of our readers. We encourage all our readers to do the same.

You should help others in the industry with your time, EP experience and skills. A little assistance and advice goes a long way. The more you help others, the more kindness you will receive from others in the industry accordingly from the law of reciprocity.

Learn Something New. Make a promise to learn something new in the industry. This trade of ours’ calls for lifelong learning; if you are not learning you are rusting.  I’ve been in the industry 20 plus years and have my list of learning activities for 2012 include; learn a new language, write a new book and take a course in the scientific pursuit of stalking. What are your learning activities for 2012?

Keep Accountable. Accountability starts with writing down your personal and career goals and checking off the progress you have made on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.  This will make a huge difference in boosting your accountability for goal accomplishment.

Goal Achievement. Make your personal and professional goals realistic so you will have a good chance of achieving all of them. Stay ambitious, but break each of your goals down into small workable ones to help you reach them more easily and in a timely manner.  Keep safe and God speed.


 

By Doc Rogers

2011 was an incredible year; Bodyguard Careers, the President Harlan “Hucky” Austin and I want to personally thank you all for your support and friendship.  We hope that you all accomplished great things in 2011 and that Bodyguard Careers was instrumental in your career growth.  Here are 5 professional observations gleaned from looking back from the previous year and forward to the new one ahead.

1.    Sacrifice. Nothing worthy within the BG industry ever comes without sacrifice.  The harder we work to improve our careers, the more we will reap the rewards and value the outcome.

2.    Keep Busy. Nothing good ever comes from standing still; get busy and do something every day towards your professional career development and toward its achievement.

3.    Strive for Excellence. Mediocrity is the enemy of greatness and acceptable is the foe of excellence. The sooner we understand these realities and go beyond these common parameters, the sooner we will achieve our greatest career growth and obtain the highest degree of professional satisfaction.

4.    Have a Plan. Many people in the BG industry dream of having a long list of clients and a successful career. But few are willing to make the proper plans to see their dreams come true. Make a plan and start following it to get positive and get lasting professional career results.

5.    Get Motivated. As professional BGs it’s our duty to keep motivated so that we can reach our professional goals, training, education, networking, career development, etc.  But we should also enjoy what we have in our life at present.  Start enjoying what you do now while you make professional plans for the future, this way our personal and professional life becomes worth living and we will become more productive.  Keep safe and God speed.