By Doc Rogers
Motorcades have a particular configuration and organization of vehicles; this article will give you an understanding of the basic principals of a protective motorcade. This includes types of movements, types of motorcade and motorcade maneuvers and avoiding potential threats along the route.
Route Selection
Your job is to protect the client during motorcades and conduct route planning.
Evaluation
Evaluate the roads and the routes (primary and secondary) to avoid getting the client vehicle boxed in by other vehicles. Instruct your security drivers to leave an avenue of escape open should the need arise and get away quickly if there is a transportation threat.
Basic Rules
Vary the client’s route to and from work as well road movement times.
Route Planning
Advance bodyguard team establishes route planning and security operations prior to the client’s visit.
Route Security
On all road movements avoid all routines and maintain a low profile. Avoid roads, if possible, that could block or slow traffic such as roadblocks or detours.
Arrivals and Departures
Arrange for the client to enter and exit buildings through different doors, if possible. Vary the client’s arrival and departure times.
Three Car Motorcade
During a bodyguard assignment the motorcade should consist of three (3) vehicles minimum (moderate to high risk clients), equipped with two-way radio communications. The three car motorcade must establish 360-degree security, avoid choke points (bridges, culverts, excessive traffic lights, congestion, slow down points, etc.). Passenger bodyguards traveling in the motorcade should act as “spotters” for the security drivers. Ensuring that no lapses in protection occur while the motorcade is moving or stopped in traffic.
The Lead Car
The lead car in the motorcade should be an unmarked vehicle occupied by a security driver and one bodyguard seated in the front passenger seat. The lead car blocks and heads-off potential threats from the front of the motorcade as well as guides the motorcade to its destination.
The Client Car
The client car (“the limousine”) should be an unmarked vehicle and positioned directly behind the lead car approximately four (4) feet away from the bumper. The vehicle is occupied by one security driver, one bodyguard seated (Detail Leader) in the front passenger seat and the principal seated in the rear seat.
The Follow-Up Car
The follow-up car should be an unmarked vehicle and positioned directly behind the client car approximately four (4) feet away from the bumper. The vehicle is occupied by one security driver, and at least one bodyguard seated in the front passenger seat. The follow-up car should provide close-in protection for the client car, as well as provide a reaction force to assist in repelling potential threats, providing a protective screen (flank and rear) for client car and to act as auxiliary client car in-case of client car breakdown.
Routes
All Routes should be pre-checked prior to vehicular movement to ensure no obstacles or risks are on the road that could influence movement along route. A contingency plan should be in place for any transportation hazards. Wishing you a safe motorcade operation and God speed.
Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security. To learn how to make a full time living as a corporate bodyguard visit the websites below for more information.
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
Thank you for everyone’s kind comments on the article. When it comes to motorcade operations; Mr. Tony Scotti is the master. Hope you are doing well, Sir.
Thanks for the post Doc.
In these cost conscious days, we find it more and more difficult to financially justify the 3-car packages and full details. One of the things we’ve begun doing in some areas is to run a pilot or route car in advance of the official party. This vehicle precedes the detail by 30 seconds to five minutes to check the primary route for signs of surveillance, ambush, traffic congestion etc. Vehicle type and color changes and is indigenous to the area. If this team suspects an unsafe condition, they can order a diversion to a secondary route or a delay in departure.
Jeff, I tend to agree with you. I have found that the pre trip planning is the best way to find out what is required. there is no need to draw unwanted attention to yourself if it is not needed. The first and foremost concern is always the principal.
Your vehicle should always be able to achieve what you would deem needed for the vehicle to achieve. Each individual job has its own merits and down falls.
As for vehicles I have used everything from an Audi A8 to SUV’s and it has to depend on the environment and perceived risk or threat…
Doc and Tony …THANKS
Great article Doc, Mr. Scotti thanks for your insight.
Tony, thanks for your solid contribution. Its always a pleasure to have someone of your stature comment on the site.
Hucky
Jeff’s question is a “one answer does not fit all scenario’s”. A simple but not conclusive answer is – if the motorcade movement is high profile and on the record, the SUV is the preferred vehicle. The color and the tinted windows is a mute point.
I am a big fan of the Suburban as a security vehicle BUT if the movement is low profile then the big black Suburban is problematic, in a low profile scenario a vehicle that blends into the environment is the best option. But finding that vehicle is not as easy as it may sound; because along with blending into the environment it has to do the job of a security vehicle.
In a low risk environment any luxury vehicle will do – some are better than others – I am partial to the Audi 8L. In a high risk environment requiring armor we are back to the SUV type vehicle. They can handle the armor, and offer other benefits.
I hope I haven’t confused the issue and that this sheds some light on the subject.
Another great post. I love this path!
Find me a follow up article with Drills 1, 2, and 3 with picture diagrams of the lead and chase care executing a “J” turn in tandem.
Jeff, that’s a great question. In Hucky’s interview with Tony Scotti, Tony said he was prejudiced towards Suburban’s. He stated that they have a big payload capacity, and for a vehicle of that size the handling was amazing, he also said it had good throttle response.
Hello and thank you for this post. I have a couple of questions.
Would you agree that when it comes to “unmarked vehicles” that the typical black SUVs with dark tinted windows traveling in a motorcade tend to draw attention?
Are there better choices these days when it comes to choosing a vehicle for executive protection?
Thanks again