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Now, the likelihood is you’ll already be familiar with close protection operatives, but perhaps under another name. They’re so often confused with bodyguards, but the duties and responsibilities of a close protection officer far exceed what we might have seen on television or in films.
With our latest guide, ProFM are shedding light on those key duties a CPO (Close Protection Officer) will undertake as part of their role. We’ll explore what you need to know, what a trained CPO does, and the qualifications and training they’ve received to ensure they can offer complete protection.
A Close Protection Officer offers personal protection and security, usually for high-net-worth individuals, VIPs or celebrities (referred to as a Principal), as well as their families. Their main role revolves around offering a personalised security solution, protecting their clients from harm or theft, and ensuring safety at all times. It’s a highly qualified role, and many close protection officers have a background in the police or the military.
That training usually ensures that they’re able to act tactically and with extensive prior planning for any circumstances that could arise. This is a crucial aspect of any approach to close protection, and means they’re as prepared as possible for any threats or issues that arise.
It also ensures that they’re able to take charge of the circumstances. We’ll delve more into the roles of a close protection officer and their meaning shortly, but suffice it to say that leadership and a commanding presence often define a good CPO.
While they’re often confused with bodyguards, a close protection operative has a good range of responsibilities outside of what a bodyguard would do. They’ll still share many of the same core roles (such as protecting their Principal, the name given to their client, at all times), but they’ll also do more of the “background tasks”.
Your assigned CPO will be able to coordinate plans, organise a team (where more than one close protection operative is needed) and execute those plans with precision, effectiveness and professionalism. That’s why, in our experience, many CPOs have a background in the emergency services or military – there’s a huge amount of transferable skills.
However, while the close protection officer title applies to any role that focuses on looking after an individual (or Principal), multiple different roles can fall into that category.
While the core focus of any close protection operative job description is to ensure the complete and unwavering safety of their Principal, the job title itself is more of an umbrella term. Let’s look at the different types of close protection operatives and what they do.
While the 5 examples we’ve listed above cover the vast majority of all close protection officer duties, certain industries might require specifically trained operatives. Individuals in the maritime sector, for example, would necessitate a CPO (or CPOs) who understand the rigours of ships or boats, as well as anti-piracy expertise.
Similarly, a close protection operative who operates predominantly around airports or private airfields will need the relevant clearance. That includes BS:7858 vetting and both landside and airside clearance.
Of course, while we’ve touched on how the “close protection operative” title applies to several different roles, there’s a thread of commonality between all of them. Let’s take a look at some of the central close protection duties and how they form the spine of any successful CPO.
Arguably the biggest part of any close protection officer’s day-to-day, protecting their client (usually called the “Principal”) is what’ll occupy the bulk of any qualified CPO’s time. For many, that’s the main expectation from a close protection operative, and it’s what the official training will place an emphasis on.
They’ll act primarily as a deterrent. Bodyguards and close protection officers share this in common – security (even as close protection) is one of the most effective ways to discourage criminals and thieves, as well as nip those potential problems in the bud before they can become something that disrupts or potentially harms the Principal.
In fact, as we’ve explored in our comprehensive article, it’s one of the key factors in why the public trusts security personnel implicitly. But while trust and deterrence go a long way, they won’t always prove enough.
A CPO must be able to offer complete physical protection, especially in those moments when the life of the Principal is in danger. A safe, protected environment is essential, and it’s the responsibility of the close protection operative to ensure that.
One of the more understated aspects of the close protection role, understanding both potential and realised threats, goes hand-in-hand with our above point on protecting the Principal at all times.
The drill for CPOs is “to recognise the absence of the normal, and the presence of the abnormal”, and that especially rings true in the recognition – and subsequent response to – threats. That begins with effective and thorough reconnaissance of any areas before the Principal ever reaches them, as well as on-the-fly surveillance and monitoring.
In the majority of circumstances, physical intervention won’t be a necessity, but that depends on the CPO’s ability to scope out those issues and make adjustments to mitigate those risks. For instance, if there’s an area where you could lose sight of the Principal (such as in a busy underground station or transport hub), you might opt to make adjustments to the route.
Equally, it’s crucial to recognise threats before they arise. Making a mental note of suspicious or erratic behaviours (even if that’s over-zealous fans or intrusive paparazzi) can ultimately help the CPO devise new methods for evacuation and dealing with those threats.
Risk is sadly an unavoidable part of the close protection officer role. The nature of the role and the protective needs of the Principal mean that – even with the best prior planning and understanding of the route and environments – risks can and do arise. This is where a truly great close protection operative sets themselves apart.
While mitigation is always the first step, and will often form an integral part of the operational planning phase (which we’ll discuss more in depth in a later section), it’s simply not possible to plan for every possibility.
This is where risk management comes to the fore. Take, for instance, an unexpected delay to a flight or train journey. This creates an uncertainty (a risk in itself), as well as an opportunity for more people to come into contact with the Principal. This is where the effective management of those added risks comes into play.
A good close protection officer will create back-up plans, even for those situations that they couldn’t have seen coming. Using our previous example of a delayed flight, for instance, the standout examples of the close protection profession will devise an alternate route, or plan for a safe area where their Principal can be uninterrupted until their flight.
Communication is, in any security role, an absolutely crucial aspect of working effectively, and to the best of your ability. While that’s true of any security job, it’s especially true for close protection operatives. The roles we’ve outlined above simply don’t happen without the right communication.
There’s immense importance in being able to communicate plans, especially so with your Principal. Letting them know in advance of any plans, key timings (like planned arrival and departure times), where you’ll be positioned during any meetings or appointments, and even just discussing your own experience are all elements of good communication.
The ability to communicate under pressure is also vital. The roles and responsibilities that a close protection operative undertakes mean they’ll very often need to think on their feet, and being able to relay orders or suggestions in an efficient, concise manner can mean the difference between avoiding threats and facing them.
There’ll also be the team-leading aspect, should you be a more experienced close protection officer or someone who’s in a leadership role. Communicating your plans and seeing them executed as you envisioned them is essential, and ultimately proves you to be someone who can be trusted.
Long before you’re ever in a position where you’ll be physically protecting your Principal comes the operational planning aspect. While this is usually a far cry from tabletop simulations and mock-ups, that’s not to say there shouldn’t be a substantial amount of effort put into the way you plan for your movements.
The best close protection operatives will take the time to consider every aspect of what they need to do, taking the time to plan for:
This is just an overview, and for any close protection role, there’ll be specifics to consider. For example, if you’re protecting a high-ranking politician, you’ll also need to be familiar with the current political climate and how that might factor into the risks you face. Or, if you’re securing a controversial celebrity, you’ll need to be aware of any backlash or possible protestors.
For many close protection operatives, this is what will occupy the majority of their time. Poor planning only leads to poor results and poor service for the Principal, which ultimately leads to a loss of trust. Take the time to plan, and plan again – it only serves to strengthen you as a close protection officer who truly cares about what they do.
A Close Protection Operative (CPO) will have, at minimum, completed a Level 3 Close Protection course and have received their Close Protection SIA licence. Both of these are strict requirements for working as a CPO, and you cannot legally apply for a close protection role without having an up-to-date licence and qualification.
You must complete your Level 3 Close Protection course before you apply for your SIA licence. This should be completed through a regulated training provider. Many of the officers we work with choose to use GetLicensed, but other training providers are available through the Government’s register.
Regardless of the company you opt to go with, you’ll only be able to become an SIA-licensed close protection operative by completing a Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives Working in the Private Security Industry. This will have been awarded by one of the 5 recognised awarding bodies:
These courses are usually very expensive, with starting prices hovering around the £2,000 mark. However, while the cost to become a close protection operative in the UK is relatively high, the earning potential far offsets that, with some of the most experienced CPOs earning up to £1,000 every day.
Once you’ve completed your course, you’ll need to apply for your close protection SIA licence. This costs £184, and is valid for 3 years before you’ll need to renew it for the same price. Our complete piece on SIA licences and their importance delves much more into costs and the application process.
While the only requirement to work as a close protection operative here in the UK is to complete the Level 3 course and secure your SIA licence, many often choose to go above and beyond. Close protection officers often rely on reputation and networking to be able to secure higher-paying roles, and having more experience and qualifications only helps that cause.
We touched earlier on how a career in the police or military offers a range of transferrable skills and expertise that translate well to the roles and responsibilities of a close protection operative. For instance, drills and procedures from even basic military training offer the discipline and mindset that go hand-in-hand with the close protection role.
That’s especially true for those who’ve been in leadership positions in either of those career paths. A high-ranking police officer, for example, will have built up a comprehensive understanding of how to recognise and mitigate threats, as well as the more operational aspects of the close protection operative role.
However, that’s not always possible, and if you’re looking to launch straight into a career as a close protection operative, you won’t have the luxury of that past career to call upon. What we’d advise instead is working on key aspects of the role, including:
Ultimately, even doing small things can help solidify you as a leader in close protection, and as someone that Principals, their families and other clients are likely to trust.
Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed what you can expect from a close protection operative, what their core duties are, and the stringent qualification process they’ll need to go through to become a CPO in the first place. Above all, though, trust is a major factor, and here at ProFM, we’re well aware of that.
Our close protection officers are all extensively vetted and screened, and fully qualified with the SIA to ensure we only employ the very best. Our tailored approach to security is a revolution, and we translate that seamlessly to our close protection operatives, offering the bespoke solution you need.
Plus, with our reputation as the UK’s official #1 security company, we’ve got the accreditations and certifications to support our claims. We don’t take close protection lightly, and we know that those who consider this service are those who need it the most.
Get in touch with our in-house experts today, who’d be more than happy to assist. We’ll support you every step of the way, from that initial outreach and throughout your time with our close protection operative.
Contact us today for a free quotation.
CCTV & Electronic Systems
John has a proven track record for motivating and leading high performance teams and has helped mentor and develop many people at ProFM who now hold key or senior positions within the business. John is committed to delivering only the finest services, exercising compelling leadership, maintaining good internal morale and striving to resolve any challenges efficiently and effectively.
