Close Protection Training glossary

The following glossary of commonly used terms in the Close Protection and Specialist Security Industry, has been included for your convenience:

CP - Close Protection. The SIA (UK Regulatory Authority) defines a Close Protection Officer as someone whose role is "to establish and maintain a safe working environment in which a Principal can live and work whilst continuously minimising risk".

BG - Bodyguard. When employed within a full Protection Team, the BG remains closest to the Principal. Their main role is therefore the "cover and evacuation" of the Principal when threatened.

IBG - Individual Bodyguard. When employed as a 1 on 1, in other words when they are the only Security person employed by the Principal, the IBG must perform all of the security details associated with their role.

PES - Personal Escort Squad. Also known as Professional Escort Squad / System. These are the Escort Officers, they provide the next layer of protection around the Principal, just beyond that of the BG / IBG. They are primarily tasked with assisting the BG, and specifically with dealing with any threat directly, to facilitate the cover and evacuation of the Principal by the BG.

RST - Residential Security Team. These are the Officers that provide security at the Principals home, office and residences. Often these duties are performed by the PES when the Principal is not in transit. In larger teams however, the RST can be a separate team of people. This is often the first duty that entrants into the industry perform, as it is akin to a (non-uniformed) security officer, manning the gatehouse, securing the vehicles, patrolling the grounds and so forth.

SAP - Security Advanced Party (or Patrol). These are the Officers that go ahead in advanced of the Principal, to conduct surveys of intended locations for visits by the Principal. Again, this role will be performed by the more experienced members of the PES (in small teams), or else by a separate squad (in larger teams). This is one of the most important roles within the Close Protection Team.

TL - Team Leader. This is primarily a Management function, usually performed by the most experienced member of the team, or else a team member with direct connections to the Principal, Management and / or contract. The TL should co-ordinate all team functions (BG, PES, RST, SAP etc), and also be the primary link between the Close Protection Team and the Principal / Personal Assistant (P.A.) etc.

SD - Security Driver. As the title suggests, this Officer is responsible for not only the security of the vehicles, but also the control of the vehicle during normal operation and also evacuations when threatened. Advanced, Defensive, Offensive and Anti-Ambush Driving Techniques are a high end discipline all of their own and require extensive training in order to be able to perform correctly under highly stressed situations. See the Close Protection Training Page, Driver Training section, for video examples of the sort of driving skills required. NOTE, the roles of SP (Security Pilot - air and sea craft) can be similarly constructed.

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