“Hey, Hucky,” people ask, “why do you still use the term bodyguard?” Some visitors to the website have been giving me a bit of a hard time about the fact that I still use the word bodyguard, but there is a method to my madness! Let me explain.

The majority of the public does not know the up-to-date terminology for what we do. I know, the preferred job title is EPS (Executive Protection Specialist) or CPO (Close Protection Operative). The fact is, most people who are NOT in the business know the term “bodyguard” and that is what they will type in when they want to go online to find out more information. Google search engines recognize the word and this recognition means my website is ranked higher and thereby gets more traffic. More traffic means more job listings, more stories, more information and in general, more connectivity for all of us in this business.

For example, did you know that people in the film industry who work as crew (gaffers, lighting people, best boy, grips, production assistants) are said to work “below-the-line”? That’s an insider’s term for those positions. You can see how someone who isn’t an insider, who is trying to locate a film production assistant, let’s say, would search by “production assistant” rather than “below-the-line talent.”

Shakespeare said “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” and I’d like to state  “An EPS by any other name would still save your life.” It’s just a word. I know it’s archaic and brings to mind knuckle-headed over-sized lunks in black suits and sunglasses, but sadly, the rest of the world just hasn’t caught on to the new terminology. Until they do, I will continue to use it in my stories and articles, interchanging it as often as possible with the preferred nomenclature. With any luck at all, the word “bodyguard” will go the way of the dinosaur.

By Dan Sommer
Offers of up to $7000 pr month plus accommodation, in a society with a rich cultural heritage, excellent nightlife and a high threat level from kidnap and assassination attempts. These are factors that explain why CPO’s are now increasingly seeking their fortune in Mexico.

The close protection industry in Mexico is expected to grown significantly during the next few years, this is due not just from the increased threat from kidnappings, which are among the highest in the world with an estimated 3000+ kidnappings a year. But today; Mexico’s elite is also at threat from the much more rapidly growing number of assassinations.

Accordingly there were an estimated 1300 assassinations carried out in Mexico in 2004, an estimated 1800 assassinations in 2005 and so far the first nine months of 2006 have already passed the 1700 mark!

Who and Why. The usual victims have been found among drug dealers and police officers involved one way or another in the drug trade, but today businessmen who have been unwilling to “assist” the drug cartels are increasingly finding themselves targeted as well.

Drug Cartels are now increasingly seeking the cooperation of major Mexican corporations in the import, storing, packing and transport of drugs to the US markets; simply because many of the corporations already have extensive and efficient transport and export systems in place. (more…)