By Bruce Alexander
There’s an excellent (by my standards anyway) article on Executive Protection that recently appeared on The Boston Globe’s website that is must read for those in, or aspiring to be in, our profession. The article, written by Billy Baker, is entitled “Standing Guard for Rich and Famous.” It’s a refreshing look at some Executive Protection firms in the Boston area which stress professional standards, image and approach to Executive Protection. These firms eschew the “Hollywood bodyguard” and “rapper posse” in favor of a low profile, conservative demeanor approach to protection. Call me a fool or just plain naive, but maybe, just maybe, someone in Hollywood will read this article and get it.
You can find the article by going to the following link: The Boston Way
Excellent find! The link wanted me to pay for a sub to The Boston Globe. Try this link or Google it yourself until you find a free reprint site: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8693316.html?key=01-42161A527E101260100903194A3F593C3B4F36602F2A3342720F0B61651A617E137119731B7B51
I don’t know how serious these firms are or how things are done back east, but here in LA every company has its own “take” on the job. And it ususally involves putting down what the others are doing or their background (“cops go to sleep!”, “we train our people – for a full week!”, “big guys are dumb – we know customer service!”), rather than coming up with actual ethics and standards. It’s all more marketing than EP know-how, IMHO. A quick look at the local pay rates will tell you how high they shoot.
Meanwhile, a couple of notches lower, uniformed security companies all claim NOT to give into the warm body syndrome, which they all do, of course.
It would be nice if someone could get through to the celeb crowd. You’s think that after enough “bodyguards” sell their secrets and sue them, they would finally get it.